Duterte, speaking during a late-night television address on Monday, said sending children to school without a vaccine ‘spells disaster’.
According to him, it is useless to be talking about reopening schools at such a time.
“I will not allow the opening of classes where students will be near each other.
“Unless I am sure that they are really safe, it’s useless to be talking about the opening of classes,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Department of Education had set the opening of the school year for Aug. 24 due to the COVID-19 outbreak, three months after its traditional start in June.
The Philippines has recorded 14,319 confirmed COVID-19 cases, including 873 deaths, according to the Department of Health.
Metro Manila and high-risk areas for infections are under relaxed lockdown until May 31.
AFP