(File photo)

QUEZON CITY, (PIA) -- Considering the possible surge of COVID-19 cases, the Department of Education (DepEd) on Wednesday assured the public that schools were required to have an infection control plan to implement for the opening of face-to-face (F2F) classes this month.

The DepEd made the statement in response to the Octa Research Group’s pronouncement that there may be a possible case uptick once the in-person classes resume.

"We take the Octa Research seriously as guidance. However, we look also on the study of [the United Nations Children's Fund]. There's actually no direct correlation between in-person classes and transmission, as long as the minimum safety standards are observed, most particularly the wearing of face mask. That is important)," Education spokesperson Michael Poa said in a press briefing.

Poa noted that under DepEd Order 34, schools are required to have an “infection containment” strategy.

"That’s what we are hoping to see, what we call infection containment plan or strategy that the schools will implement. For instance, what are their plans if someone tests positive in school? Will they contain it? Will they suspend that particular class or the entire school? So that’s something we will require from them and our field offices will be monitoring to ensure that’s in place for each school,” he said. (PIA-NCR)