DepEd postpones February activities due to 2019-nCoV threat

The Department of Education (DepEd) has suspended its national and regional events scheduled this February 2020 as a proactive response to the novel coronavirus acute respiratory disease (nCoV ARD).

The upcoming activities included in the suspension are the following:

• National Science and Technology Fair (NSTF)
  • DATE: February 10 to 14, 2020
  • VENUE: (to be announced)
• National Festival of Talents (NFOT)
  • DATE: February 17 to 21, 2020
  • VENUE: Ilagan, Isabela
• National Schools Press Conference (NSPC)
  • DATE: February 17 to 21, 2020
  • VENUE: Tuguegarao City, Cagayan

DepEd Task Force nCoV directives

As of DepEd Memorandum No. 15, S. 2020 issued yesterday by DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones and upon the advice of the Department of Health (DOH), all regional and national activities that will require the congregation of various schools, divisions and/or schools are suspended. The same is applicable to activities that will require students and/or teachers to travel.

Also, official travels of all DepEd personnel and students which were previously approved for February 2020 to countries with confirmed cases or persons under investigation for 2019-nCoV are revoked.

These measures, according to the memorandum, are being done in order to lessen exposure to risks associated with the virus and support our government’s efforts to control its spread. The department, however, clarified that Palarong Pambansa, set to happen in May, is not included in the suspension which is only meant for activities scheduled this February.

For more information about the policy directives of DepEd Task Force nCoV, check the full memorandum here.