On October 28, 2022, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed into effect Executive Order No. 7 which allowed for the voluntary wearing of face masks in indoor settings. Likewise, the Department of Education and the Department of Labor and Employment issued their respective advisories, DO 048 s. 2022 and LA 22 s. 2022 respectively, allowing the voluntary wearing of face masks in indoor settings, in schools, and workplaces.
The Philippine Pediatric Society and the Pediatric Infectious Disease Society of the Philippines released in a joint statement last November 2, 2022, their position and recommendation with regard to the voluntary wearing of face masks indoors in the school setting. In the statement, they recommended that: “in light of circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs), including Omicron and its subvariants, layered prevention strategies in the form of universal masking, optimized ventilation, physical distancing to prevent crowding, as well as hygiene and other measures to reduce transmission risks, will continue to be essential to prevent transmission in school settings.”
As always, the health and safety of everyone are the first and foremost priority of the University. In order to maintain safe and healthy school and working conditions, the University will hereby implement the following:
- Face masks shall continue to be worn indoors and outdoors where physical distancing cannot be maintained. These include but are not limited to learning areas such as classrooms, laboratories, libraries, crowded spaces like assemblies in the quadrangle and gymnasium, and close-contact settings like conversing in corridors, stairs, and lounges.
- The voluntary wearing of face masks in outdoor settings with good ventilation shall be allowed. The face mask may also be removed for the following instances:
- Eating and drinking in designated areas;
- Participating in team and individual sports in venues where ventilation standards can be sustained;
- Practicing outdoor activities where physical distancing can be maintained.
As per DepEd JMC No. 001 s. 2022 and CHED Memo No. 09 Series of 2022, vaccination is no longer required for participation in face-to-face classes, but it is still strongly encouraged.
A fully vaccinated person is defined as: (IATF Resolution No. 142 s. 2021)
a. More than or equal to 2 weeks after having received the second dose in a 2-dose series; or
b. More than or equal to 2 weeks after having received a single-dose vaccine
c. The vaccines administered to the individual are included in any of the following:
- Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) List or Compassionate Special Permit (CSP) issued by the Philippine Food and Drug Administration; or
- Emergency Use Listing of the World Health Organization.
As of the latest guidelines by the Department of Education and Commission on Higher Education, COVID-19 vaccination is not required for face-to-face classes but it is still strongly encouraged.
Booster shots are not yet part of the definition of being fully vaccinated. But it is also highly encouraged to get one when eligible for added protection.
As per JRU Memorandum No. 2022-23, accomplishment of the health checklist is no longer required for entry into the campus. However, checking of body temperature is still compulsory prior entry to the school.
Visitors are required to accomplish the Visitor’s Pass and submit it at the Information desk upon exit.
For confirmed cases of COVID-19, the following will be observed (JRU Memorandum No. 2022-15):
COVID-19 Severity | REQUIRED NUMBER OF ISOLATION DAYS | |
FULLY VACCINATED | UNVACCINATED/PARTIALLY VACCINATED | |
No Symptoms | 7 days from positive test (sample collection date) | 10 days from positive test (sample collection date) |
Mild COVID-19 | 7 days from onset of symptoms | 10 days from onset of symptoms |
Moderate COVID-19 | 10 days from onset of symptoms regardless of vaccination status | |
Severe COVID-19 | 21 days from onset of symptoms regardless of vaccination status | |
Immunocompromised | 21 days from onset of symptoms regardless of vaccination status with repeat negative RT-PCR result | |
All confirmed cases should report to their respective barangays and must submit a Certificate of Recovery issued by their barangay or medical certificate from their private doctors prior returning to class or work.
Confirmed cases, regardless of vaccination status, can only return to class/work if the following has been met (JRU Memorandum No. 2022-17):
- Completed the required isolation days based on their vaccination status and disease severity;
- The symptoms of the patient should have improved (e.g., cough, shortness of breath, etc.), AND the patient has no fever for at least 24 hours without taking any medications;
- Submit a medical clearance issued by the attending physician, quarantine facility, hospital, or health center indicating that the patient has been treated and is cleared as being fit to report back to school or work
Except for immunocompromised patients, repeat testing is not required for reintegration. Time based isolation is sufficient provided the affected individual remains asymptomatic.
For confirmed cases, the following will be observed (JRU Memorandum No. 2022-14):
If a student test positive | Parent/guardian will communicate to the class adviser Class adviser will communicate with the clinic Classes will revert to online learning Whole class will undergo quarantine for 3 days (fully vaccinated) and 14 days (partially vaccinated/unvaccinated)*. Affected students will undergo monitoring Classroom will undergo disinfection. |
If a teacher test positive | Teacher will inform his/her principal/dean and the clinic All classes handled by the teacher will revert to online learning Whole class will undergo quarantine for 3 days (fully vaccinated) and 14 days (partially vaccinated/unvaccinated)*. The teacher and other identified close contacts will undergo monitoring Classroom will undergo disinfection. |
*Depending on the assessment of the medical personnel, through its monitoring system, the quarantine period may get extended for a particular student or identified "close contact" of the confirmed case if he/she develops symptoms while in quarantine.
No. Everyone is required to stay at home and not report for work or school if with symptoms.
For those with diagnosed respiratory conditions such as asthma or allergic rhinitis, they must provide proof of their condition, i.e., medical certificate, to the class adviser and the clinic. This will be attached to their health record in the clinic. Their existing medical condition will be taken into consideration by the clinic staff when assessing the patient.
If their symptom/s is consistent with their existing medical condition, they may not be asked to undergo testing.
As per JRU Memorandum No. 2022-16, in the event that a student/employee gets sick or develops symptoms while inside the school premises, the person of highest authority (e.g., teacher, instructor, office head) will immediately report to the school head, SDO, and MDC anyone who will show COVID-19 symptoms within his/her area. He/she will also give the list of those who were present within the area where the patient was first identified.
The sick student will be brought by the teacher to the designated isolation room in the school and will be assessed by the medical staff on duty. The same procedure will be observed for faculty and personnel. Clinic personnel who will attend to the patient shall wear complete PPE level 3. The patient shall wear appropriate face mask and face shield at all times, except when oxygen support is immediately needed. The parent/guardian of the student will be contacted and requested to fetch their child. They will be instructed to consult as soon as possible with their attending physicians for further evaluation and management. They will also be advised to undergo testing if feasible.
For close contacts of confirmed cases, the following will be implemented (JRU Memorandum No. 2022-14):
Fully Vaccinated | Quarantine for 3 days from date of last exposure |
Unvaccinated/Partially Vaccinated | Quarantine for 14 days from date of last exposure |
The quarantine period may get extended for a particular student if he/she develops symptoms while in quarantine.
As per JRU Memorandum No. 2022-14, if the suspected COVID-19 student/employee has a negative RT-PCR result, the contacts may be allowed to report back to school/work provided that they remain asymptomatic. If the contacts develop any symptoms during the course of their quarantine, they need to consult immediately at the nearest health facility in their locale and secure clearance prior reporting back to work or school.
As per JRU Memorandum No. 2022-14, fully vaccinated asymptomatic close contacts can go back to school or work provided that they remain asymptomatic for three (3) days. Partially vaccinated or unvaccinated asymptomatic close contacts will have to complete fourteen (14) days of quarantine. They will be monitored by the staff of the school clinic daily during that time. During the quarantine, close contacts shall be required to regularly report to the clinic any development, including new symptoms.
A link will be provided by the clinic to the patient/close contact for their daily monitoring sheet. The daily monitoring of the patient will be encoded in the link provided daily by the patient or the parent/guardian.
The parent or guardian can notify the school by:
- Contacting the school clinic directly:
- Landline: 02-85318031 local 24
- Email: clinic@jru.edu
- Through the class adviser. The class adviser in turn will communicate with the school clinic.
Yes, it can. The protocols above can change without prior notice, depending on the latest guidelines released by the IATF, DOH, DOLE, DepEd and CHED.