Amendments to the Omnibus Guidelines of the IATF and Member-Agencies Pertaining to Community Quarantine

May 1, 2020

IATF-EID RESOLUTION NO. 030-A, S. 2020

WHEREAS, Article II, Section 15 of the 1987 Constitution provides that the State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them;

WHEREAS, Executive Order No. (E.O.) 168, s. 2014 created the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) to facilitate inter-sectoral collaboration to establish preparedness and ensure efficient government response to assess, monitor, contain, control, and prevent the spread of any potential epidemic in the Philippines;

WHEREAS, Section 2 (c) of E.O. 168 mandates the IATF to prevent and/or minimize the local spread of emerging infectious diseases in the country through the establishment or reinforcement of a system in screening possible patients infected with emerging infectious diseases, contact tracing, identification of the mode of exposure to the virus, and implementation of effective quarantine and proper isolation procedures;

WHEREAS, on 28 January 2020, the IATF convened, and thereafter issued regular recommendations for the management of the 2019 Novel Corona Virus Acute Respiratory Disease which is now known as Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19);

WHEREAS, the March 18, 2020 Memorandum from the Office of the Executive Secretary directed all heads of departments, agencies, and instrumentalities of government, including the Philippine National Police (PNP), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs), Government Financial Institutions (GFIs), State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), and Local Government Units (LGUs) to adopt, coordinate, and implement guidelines which the IATF may issue on the COVID-19 situation, consistent with the respective agency mandates and relevant laws, rules, and regulations.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises set forth herein, the IATF issues these clarifications and/or amendments to the Omnibus Guidelines to harmonize and codify existing policies of the IATF and member-agencies pertaining to community quarantine, which shall be applied to all regions, provinces, cities, municipalities and barangays placed under community quarantine.

A. Under Section 2 par. 7:

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Mass gatherings such as but not limited to, movie screenings, concerts, sporting events, and other entertainment activities, community assemblies, religious gatherings, and non-essential work gatherings shall be prohibited.

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B. Under Section [3]:

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5. Accredited diplomatic missions and international organizations may be at fifty percent (50%) operational capacity. Alternative work arrangements such as flexible work arrangements, compressed work week, telework, and telecommuting is strongly encouraged.

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C. Under Section 3 par. 6:

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a. Category III Industries — Financial services, BPOs, legal and accounting services, professional, scientific, technical, and other non-leisure services, barber shops, salon, and other personal care services as defined by the DTI, and other non-leisure wholesale and retail establishments, at a maximum of fifty percent (50%) work-on-site arrangement, and without prejudice to work-from-home and other alternative work arrangements.

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D. The Omnibus Guidelines are hereby renumbered accordingly.

APPROVED during the 31st Inter-Agency Task Force Meeting held this 1st of May, 2020 via video conference.

(SGD.) FRANCISCO T. DUQUE IIISecretary, Department of HealthIATF Chairperson

(SGD.) KARLO ALEXEI B. NOGRALESCabinet Secretary, Office of the Cabinet SecretaryIATF Co-Chairperson