DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental, Jan. 14 (PIA) -- Dumaguete City is now set to host the 2020/2021 bar examinations as it pushes through on Jan. 23 and 25, but with strict enforcement of the quarantine protocols against COVID-19. 

This was confirmed by Mayor Felipe Antonio Remollo who said that the city, specifically Silliman University, is one of the testing centers chosen by the Supreme Court for the bar exams and preparations were made as early as last year.

Remollo said the Supreme Court shortened the duration of the bar exams from the typical four Sundays to just two days to prevent the possible spread of infection that will disrupt the administration of the examination that was postponed several times already since 2020.

According to the bulletin released by 2020/2021 Bar Examinations Chairperson Justice Marvic M.V.F. Leonen, bar examinees who will test positive for COVID-19 both under an antigen test or RT-PCR test will automatically be denied entry to their local testing centers.

This prohibition will apply to all positive cases, whether symptomatic or asymptomatic.

All bar examinees, the Supreme Court staff including Justice Leonen, have already quarantined themselves since Jan. 10, 2022.

The fully vaccinated examinees will undergo only one antigen test within 48 hours before the first examination, while unvaccinated examinees will be required to present negative nasal or saliva RT-PCR test results taken within 72 hours before the first examination.

Examinees who have recovered from COVID-19 shall still be required to undergo an antigen or RT-PCR test, as the case may be, before the first examination.

In response to the request of Leonen, Remollo has already coordinated with concerned agencies and officials to ensure the needed resources, traffic management, police assistance, health protocols, and cooperation of the barangays for the duration of the exam. (JCT/PIA7 Negros Oriental)