Schools as quarantine facilities

LEGAZPI CITY --- The Department of Education (DepEd) regional office here has allowed some local government units (LGU) in Bicol to convert public schools into makeshift isolation or quarantine facilities for suspected carriers of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19).

Some 36 schools, mostly in the provinces of Albay, Camarines Sur and Camarines Norte, have been converted for this purpose so far, Gilbert Sadsad, DepEd Bicol regional director said.

Some 630 persons under monitoring (PUM) are staying in the classrooms of the schools where they will stay indoors for the 14-day quarantine period before they could return home.

Sadsad said DepEd wanted to help the Department of Health (DOH) and the LGU that faced lack quarantine facilities so that they can isolate people who have a history of travel from Metro Manila and other places outside the region.

However, Sadsad said not all requests of LGU to convert public schools would be granted.

He said only LGU that satisfied the terms and conditions set by DepEd may be allowed to use the classrooms as quarantine facilities.

Moreover, LGU should adhere to the quarantine guidelines set by the Department of Health, he added.

Sadsad said they were closely coordinating with LGU, DOH and other government agencies to provide support to the country’s efforts to weed out Covid-19