Additional Guidelines on Quarantine and Isolation Measures Relative to the COVID-19 Situation

April 2, 2020

DILG MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 067-20

 

1. Background/Legal Basis

1.1. Article II, Sections 4, 5, 9, and 15 of the 1987 Constitution;

1.2. Republic Act No. 11469, otherwise known as the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act, declaring a State of National Emergency throughout the Philippines, and ensuring that local government units (LGUs) are implementing standards consistent with what the national government has laid down for the subject area;

1.3. Presidential Proclamation No. 922, issued on March 8, 2020, declaring a State at Public Health Emergency Throughout the Philippines, and enjoining LGUs to render full assistance and cooperation, and mobilize necessary resources to undertake critical, urgent, and appropriate response and measures to curtail the COVID-19 threat;

1.4. Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID) Resolution No. 17; and,

1.5 Department of Tourism (DOT) Administrative Order No. 2020-001-B.

2. Policy Content and Guidelines

2.1. All LGUs are enjoined to assist the Department of Tourism (DOT) in identifying hotels and other similar establishments within their areas of jurisdiction that may be utilized as quarantine facilities.

2.1.1. Subject to any amendatory guidelines or policies to be issued by the DOT, hotels and similar establishments that are currently accommodating the following, with reference to DOT Administrative Order No. 2020-001-B, shall not be identified to be utilized as quarantine facilities:

2.1.1.1. Foreign guests who had existing bookings or reservations under any Accommodation Establishment within the Philippines as of 17 March 2020; and other foreigners who are transiting through, or are otherwise temporarily staying in the Philippines for a short period and will leave the country;

2.1.1.2 Long Staying Guests; 1

2.1.1.3 Employees from Neighboring Basic Establishment; 2

2.1.1.4 Distressed OFWs, 3 and;

2.1.1.5 Stranded Passengers. 4

2.1.2. Coordination with concerned DOT personnel shall also be maintained.

2.2. LGUs shall finalize the identification and furbishing of provincial, city, municipal, and barangay facilities, in accordance to the guidelines set forth in the DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2020-064, dated March 29, 2020, with subject Provincial/City/Municipal Special Care Facilities and Isolation Units Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic.

2.3. LGUs shall identify appropriate human resources who may aid the national government in the following:

2.3.1. Conduct of contact tracing, assessment, and monitoring of persons under monitoring (PUMs) and persons under investigation (PUIs); and,

2.3.2. Issuance of certificates of completion of the 14-day quarantine period through their local health units.

2.3.3. Identified personnel shall be entitled with corresponding remuneration and/or hazard pays, based on the guidelines set forth by concerned national government agencies.

2.4. LGUs shall conduct disinfection within their areas of jurisdictions, especially, but not limited to, public areas such as public markets, provincial/city/municipal/barangay halls, and other LGU-owned establishments and facilities, as frequently as necessary.

2.5. In ensuring compliance to these guidelines, the LGUs shall sustain the provision of basic necessities and local transport of its residents.

2.6. Inaction of LGUs, or any action considered excessive and inconsistent with the said provisions shall be dealt with in accordance to Section 6 of RA 11469 and other relevant national laws and policies.

2.7. All DILG Regional Directors and the BARMM Minister for Local Government are hereby directed to cause the widest dissemination of this Memorandum Circular, and to ensure compliance of all LGUs under their areas of jurisdiction.

3. Effectivity

3.1. This Memorandum Circular shall take effect immediately.

4. Approving Authority

(SGD.) EDUARDO M. AÑOSecretary

 

Footnotes

1. Per DOT Administrative Order No. 2010-001-B, "Long Staying Guests" shall refer to guests who have existing long-term leases.

2. Per DOT Administrative Order No. 2020-001-B, "Neighboring Basic Establishments" shall refer to Basic Establishments within a two (2) kilometer radius from Covered Accommodation Establishments.

3. Per DOT Administrative Order No. 2020-001-B, "Distressed OFW" shall refer to an OFW eligible to avail of accommodation assistance from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) pursuant to relevant OWWA guidelines and issuances.

4. Per DOT Administrative Order No. 2020-001-B, "Stranded Passengers" shall refer to passengers whose domestic or foreign flights or rides have been cancelled and are prevented from leaving a city or place where they do not permanently reside, or have difficulty availing of transportation to their home city or province, due to the implementation of a community quarantine.