DESPITE the recent surge in coronavirus disease (Covid-19) cases, the Department of Health (DOH) said Friday, July 8, that it fully supports the 100 percent return of face-to-face classes.In a televised public briefing, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said they are in agreement with the Department of Education (DepEd) in looking to hold full in-person schooling by November.”The DOH fully supports the opening of classes, its full implementation (of face-to-face classes), we fully support that,” said Vergeire.”Even our experts have given recommendation that we really to open up education for the youth already,” she added.But given the threat of Covid-19, the health official stressed that there is a need to strictly enforce the minimum public health standards (MPHS) in schools.In particular, Vergeire said the schools need to make sure that face masks shall be worn at all times, even as physical distancing would be difficult to maintain.”We will be implementing MPHS in all classrooms. We just need to make sure that there is a safe environment for our children,” said Vergeire.She said making Covid-19 vaccine a requirement is not a policy they will be adopting for students.But she said they will be putting up vaccination sites in schools and other educational institutions.”We strongly encourage the parents to have their children vaccinated against Covid-19 so that they will be more protected,” said Vergeire.Earlier, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said the DepEd is looking to start face-to-face classes in some schools by September this year.Subsequently, Marcos said all schools are projected to implement full face-to-face by November. (HDT/SunStar Philippines)