Walang Pasok: Class suspensions over coronavirus outbreak

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 14) -- Some classes in both public and private schools nationwide have been called off this week as a precautionary measure against the fast-spreading coronavirus disease, officially known as COVID-19.

Here is the list of affected areas:

ALL LEVELS

Metro Manila

Calabarzon

Cainta, Rizal (No classes until March 14)

San Mateo, Rizal (No classes until March 13)

Lucban, Quezon (No classes from March 11 to 15)

Central Luzon

Capas, Tarlac ( No classes from March 11 to 14)

Bulacan (No classes from March 11 to 14)

Pampanga (suspension will remain until further notice)

MIMAROPA

Oriental Mindoro (No classes until March 25)

Davao Region

Sto. Tomas, Davao del Norte (suspension will remain until lifted)

Work suspensions

Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano suspended work in the House of Representatives from March 16 to April 12 as a preventive measure against COVID-19.

Contingency plans of Metro Manila universities

Ateneo de Manila University President Jose Ramon Villarin said they have canceled classes and work until March 18 to pave the way for a dry run of the school's contingency plans.

"The dry run shall commence on Thursday, 12 March and end on Wednesday, 18 March. Offices will simulate operations with a skeleton workforce, and on-campus classes will be suspended to give way to simulation of alternative modes of teaching, learning, and testing," Villarin said in a statement.

Meanwhile, University of the Philippines Diliman Chancellor Fidel Nemenzo said official travel of members of the school community is prohibited indefinitely.

The official also urged personnel to refrain from visiting other places in and outside the country. Should they proceed, they have to report to their unit heads.

The university president also said they will make use of online platforms to hold classes for the meantime.

The number of confirmed cases in the country is now at 64.

President Rodrigo Duterte has suspended classes in Metro Manila since Tuesday, a day after declaring a state of public health emergency upon the recommendation of the Department of Health. The declaration will allow for easier access to financial resources to control the spread of the disease in the country.

DOH also raised Code Red sublevel 2— the highest alert level for COVID-19.