Precautions vs. Covid-19 observed at science, tech fair

On February 4, the DepEd suspended the NSTF 2020, together with the National Schools Press Conference and the National Festival of Talents, as a preemptive measure against the spread of Covid-19. (Pixabay photo)

MANILA – The National Science and Technology Fair (NSTF) 2020 is held with strict observance of the precautionary measures in preventing the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), an official of the Department of Education (DepEd) said on Tuesday.

“There’s an advisory by the Department of Health that activities are still okay if hand and respiratory hygiene are followed.

With that, we decided to push through with this event, giving an extra reminder to all our schools to observe such precautions, in addition to that, this activity is very important, and, obviously, the students are anticipating this NSTF,” DepEd Undersecretary Nepomuceno Malauan said on the sidelines of NSTF 2020 media briefing in Quezon City.

On February 4, the DepEd suspended the NSTF 2020, together with the National Schools Press Conference and the National Festival of Talents, as a preemptive measure against the spread of Covid-19.

Citing that the Filipino public has “deep consciousness” on the safety precautions against the disease, Malaluan said the fair participants — students, teachers, and parents — are all aware of what must be done to keep themselves protected.

“They (the students) are under the care of their respective teachers, but we can also see that the national organizers to constantly remind teachers supervising these events about the protocols,” he added.

Since the participants are from different regions, Malaluan said they are given the freedom to wear masks “if they feel uncertain about being exposed to other people and being out of their immediate community”.

“Very few are wearing masks because we’re following the standards of the World Health Organization that the ones who are indicated to wear masks are those who have respiratory symptoms to avoid spreading the virus,” he added.

The NSTF 2020 is a four-day event held at the Novotel Hotel in Cubao, Quezon City.

A total of 161 student-researchers participated in the event to showcase their creative and innovative projects which aim to provide solutions to community problems through science and technology.