Most of the higher education institutions (HEIs) located in Alert Level 3 areas have decided to push the start of limited face-to-face (F2F) classes to February, the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) said on Thursday.

Earlier this week, the CHEd announced that the second phase of the gradual resumption of limited face-to-face (F2F) classes in Alert Level 3 areas would start on Jan. 31.

In a “Laging Handa” briefing on Thursday, CHEd Chairman Prospero de Vera III said that the Jan. 31 date was only a “reference point” and schools under Alert Level 3 could start F2F classes at a later date.

“Ibig sabihin depende iyan doon sa kalagayan on the ground ng mga pamantasan, ang kanilang konsultasyon sa local governments, ang kondisyon ng kanilang facilities, konsultasyon sa mga faculty at students at mag-adjust sila depende doon sa kalagayan,” de Vera said.

Meanwhile, HEIs in areas under Alert Level 2 may start limited F2F classes anytime.

The second phase of the implementation of the limited F2F classes was carried out in accordance with Resolution No.148-G of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on Emerging Infectious Diseases.

Alert Level 3 is raised in 19 areas in the country until Jan. 15, with 28 more to be under the alert level from Jan. 14 to 31. John Ezekiel J. Hirro