The Department of Education (DepEd) has suspended national and regional events including the Palarong Pambansa, following the developments obtaining in the current state of the local coronavirus outbreak.
Meanwhile, the National Schools Press Conference (NSPC) and National Festival of Talents (NFOT) will push through since students and staffs are already at the venue.
The DepEd has also laid out stringent rules under Memorandum No. 1 of the DepEd Task Force COVID-19 that include proper hand and respiratory hygiene, such as frequent hand washing.
It was also stated that regional and division staff for task force on COVID-19 should be represented in the venue and that participants should undergo health screening.
Meanwhile, children five years-old and below, pregnant and lactating women and those with chronic diseases will be denied entry.
The NSPC, NFOT, and other regional and national activities for the month of February were postponed last month due to COVID-19.
The new date for Palaro Regional Meets is still unknown. It was originally scheduled for May 1 to 9. – Report from Naomi Tiburcio