Manila announced on Thursday that it is suspending physical and online classes in all levels for public and private schools starting Friday, as part of a week-long "health break" that seeks to ease the burden on the public amid surging COVID-19 cases.
"The city of Manila is declaring a health break starting tomorrow, January 14 to January 21," Manila Mayor Isko Moreno said in a press conference.
"Wala pong pasok whether online or physical classes, all levels para magka-health break naman ang lahat," he added.
(There are no classes, whether online or physical classes, [in] all levels so everyone can get their health break.)
The Manila mayor made the decision upon observing the increasing anxiety level of parents, teachers, and students due to the rise of COVID-19 cases in the workplace, community, and at home.
"So para mabawasan ang inyong agam-agam, ito'y pagtugon sa inyong sitwasyon ng pamahalaang lungsod ng Maynila," he said.
(So to ease your worries, this is the Manila City government’s response to your situation.)
This will give teachers time to rest, Moreno said, as he noticed they are continuing work despite contracting COVID-19. This will also give those who are infected some time to recover from the disease, he added.
"Makapagpahinga 'yung ating mga guro at yung mga magulang, mabawasan yung anxiety level nila na umaabsent yung anak nila sa online class kasi infected din yung kanilang anak sa COVID-19," the Manila mayor said.
(Our teachers can rest. And for parents, this will reduce their anxiety over their children being absent from online classes because they are infected with COVID-19.)
The announcement came amid increasing COVID-19 infections in the country. In Manila, there are 3,680 active COVID-19 cases as of January 13, according to its public information office.
