The Department of Education (DepEd) is temporarily closing its central office (CO) in Pasig City from August 19 to 23 to give way for “complex-wide disinfection and contact tracing activity”.
In a Facebook post by DepEd Undersecretary Alain Pascua, he noted that the closure was implemented by the DepEd Task Force COVID-19, upon the directive of DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones, to ensure its personnel’s health and safety. Only two official business days would be impacted by the five-day lockdown.
DepEd said its operations would continue and remain uninterrupted, with all of its staff working from home. It is already processing the financial obligations, wages, and benefits of its teaching and non-teaching employees. “Virtual productivity tools” would be used for work-related matters.
According to DepEd’s July 21 memorandum on the protocols, management, and testing of reported COVID-19 cases and contacts at its central office, the whole or a part of the DepEd Complex may be closed if required.
“The DepEd Complex, partially or entirely, may be put on lockdown, if warranted, depending on the recommendation of the C0 Task Force COVID-19 based on the prevailing conditioners per case, and in accordance with the agreed case management plan,” reads Memorandum No. 68.
Affected employees may choose to be quarantined in facilities DepEd will make available.