CHED tells universities, colleges to monitor health of students, faculty, staff

The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has told universities and colleges to monitor the health of their students, faculty, and staff, especially those from areas where COVID-19 cases have been recorded.

In an advisory released Tuesday, CHED also said higher education institutions (HEIs), where appropriate, should conduct an inventory of their constituents and "categorize those who are coming from localities with and without COVID-19 positive cases."

"HEIs shall put up mechanisms to monitor the health of its students, faculty and staff, especially those coming from COVID-19 positive areas, and ensure that they get appropriate health care if they are ill," CHED said.

The commission also advised HEIs to ensure they follow community quarantine policies in their localities prior to and upon the return of their constituents when classes resume, and adopt measures to safeguard their health and safety.

CHED said HEIs should continue their work-from-home arrangements except for offices which require a skeletal workforce to maintain basic services, such as the processing of salary and janitorial and security services.

Those with a skeletal workforce should ensure strict compliance with precautionary measures against COVID-19, CHED said.

"This arrangement should remain in effect until the enhanced community quarantine has been lifted," the commission said.

In the same advisory, CHED discouraged HEIs from holding in-person graduation ceremonies and set guidelines for adjustments in the academic calendar and curricular requirements and the use of alternative modes of learning amid the extended Luzon-wide quarantine.

Classes and other school activities, including internships and on-the-job training, remain suspended until April 30. — Nicole-Anne C. Lagrimas/BM, GMA News