Fourth Set of Policy Directives of DepEd Task Force COVID-19

March 5, 2020

DEPED MEMORANDUM NO. 031-20

FOURTH SET OF POLICY DIRECTIVES OF DEPED TASK FORCE COVID-19

 

1. The Department of Education (DepEd) Task Force COVID-19 is issuing this Fourth Set of Policy Directives to reiterate and elaborate on previously issued measures, for the guidance of DepEd officials, personnel and staff at the Central, Regional and Division Offices and schools nationwide.

2. The World Health Organization (WHO), based on its Situation Report-39 dated February 28, 2020, increased the assessment of the risk of spread and risk of impact of COVID-19 to "very high" at the global level. This is the highest level of alert, according to the Dr. Mike Ryan, executive director of WHO's health emergencies program. 1 In his opening remarks at the media briefing on COVID-19 on February 28, 2020, WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that what can be seen at the moment are"linked epidemics of COVID-19 in several countries, but most cases can still be traced to known contacts or clusters of cases" and that there is no "evidence as yet that the virus is spreading freely in communities." Therefore, there is still a chance of containing this virus, if robust action is taken to detect cases early, isolate and care for patients and trace contacts. The key to containing this virus is to break the chains of transmission." 2

3. In light of this, all policy directives and measures contained in DM 015, s. 2020 titled First Set of Policy Directives of the DepEd Task Force nCoV, DM 021, s. 2020 titled Second Set of Policy Directives of the DepEd Task Force nCoV, and DM 023, s. 2020 titled Third Set of Policy Directives of the DepEd Task Force COVIC-19 remain in effect.

4. The following measures are reiterated and further elaborated:

a. The travel measures and restrictions as stipulated in Enclosure No. 2 to DM 15, s. 2020, are extended for the month of March 2020, and shall continue to remain in effect, subject to the latest updates and advisories on travel restrictions by concerned authorities. As such, official and personal travels are temporarily banned in the following:

i. People's Republic of China and its Special Administrative Regions (SARs); and

ii. North Gyeongsang Province of South Korea, including Daegu City and Cheongdo County (per Resolution No. 09, s. 2020 of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases, dated March 3, 2020).

b. Further, official travels of all DepEd personnel and learners previously approved by the Secretary for the month of March 2020 to countries identified to have confirmed cases of persons under investigation for COVID-19, as shown in the table below are hereby revoked. All DepEd personnel with approved personal travels to the same countries are highly advised not to proceed.

 

Countries, territories or areas outside China with reported laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases and deaths

Western Pacific Region	• Republic of Korea • Japan • Singapore • Australia • Malaysia • Vietnam • Philippines • Cambodia • New Zealand
European Region	• Italy • Germany • France • Spain • The United Kingdom • Switzerland • Norway • Sweden • Netherlands • Austria • Croatia • Greece • Israel • Finland • Denmark • Azerbaijan • Czechia • Georgia • Romania • Iceland • Russian Federation • Armenia • Belarus • Belgium • Estonia • Ireland • Lithuania • Luxembourg • Monaco • North Macedonia • San Marino
South-East Asia Region	• Thailand • India • Indonesia • Nepal • Sri Lanka
Eastern Mediterranean Region	• Iran (Islamic Republic of) • Kuwait • Bahrain • United Arab Emirates • Iraq • Lebanon • Oman • Pakistan • Qatar • Egypt • Afghanistan
Region of the Americas	• United States of America • Canada • Mexico • Brazil • Dominican Republic • Ecuador
African Region	• Algeria • Nigeria

 

c. The latest list of countries with confirmed cases is accessible in the WHO's website (https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novelcoronavirus2019/situation-reports).

d. It is reiterated that all personnel and learners who decide to proceed with their scheduled personal travels for the month of March to countries identified to have confirmed cases or persons under investigation for COVID-19 shall be subject to mandatory self-quarantine for 14 days from the date of arrival in the Philippines.

e. However, it is corrected that the 14 days of self-quarantine of DepEd personnel shall not be deducted from their earned leave credits, in consonance with the Civil Service Commission Memorandum Circular No. 05, s. 2020, with subject Interim Guidelines on the Use of Leave Credits for Absences Due to Self-Quarantine and/or Treatment Relative to the Corona Virus Disease-2019 (COVID-19). A copy of CSC MC 05, s. 2020 is enclosed (Enclosure No. 1) to provide for the procedure of availment of leave privileges for absences incurred in relation to self-quarantine and/or treatment of concerned DepEd personnel. CSC MC 05, s. 2020 further provides that "government employees, officials, and other public servants covered by these Guidelines whose period of self-quarantine after recent travel (official/personal) was deducted against their leave credits prior to the issuance of these guidelines can have the said leave credits restored through their respective agencies' Human Resource/Personnel Office/s/Units."

f. Learners on quarantine shall not be marked absent and shall be given alternative delivery modes (ADM) of education.

g. Personnel and learners on self-quarantine are strongly instructed to adhere to the following general and implementing guidelines, based on CSC MC 05, s. 2020, and the Department of Health Memorandum No. 2020-0090, dated February 17, 2020, with subject Interim Guidelines on the Management of Persons Under Monitoring (PUMs) suspected with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) for Home Quarantine (Enclosure No. 2):

i. Upon arrival, report to a local health authority and/or coordinate with the Local Government Epidemiologic Surveillance Unit on the logistical, administrative and clinical parameters to be standardized in any attempt to refer the person on quarantine for transfer or consultation.

ii. Strictly observe the following guidelines while undergoing home quarantine.

(1) Room Isolation and Contacts of Persons Undergoing Quarantine

(a) The person undergoing quarantine shall be prohibited to leave their rooms/homes where they are quarantined until they have been certified by the local health official to have finished the 14-day requirement for quarantine procedures.

(b) The person undergoing quarantine shall be placed alone in a well-ventilated room, preferably with toilet and bathroom. If this is not possible, maintain a distance of at least one meter from the person undergoing quarantine (e.g., sleep in a separate bed).

(c) Assign one person who is in good health as caretaker of the person undergoing quarantine.

(d) Visitors, family members, and even caregivers are not allowed in the room of the person undergoing quarantine.

(e) Confine activities of the person undergoing quarantine in his/her room only. If this is not possible, ensure that shared spaces (e.g., kitchen, bathroom) are well ventilated (e.g., keep windows open).

(2) Use of Disposable Surgical Mask

(a) The person undergoing quarantine should wear a surgical mask fitted tightly to the nose, mouth, and chin when in the same room with another household member or when talking to other people. The use of masks is not required for those not undergoing quarantine.

(b) If alone, the person undergoing quarantine is not required to wear a mask.

(c) Masks should not be touched or handled during use. If the mask gets wet or dirty with secretions, it must be changed immediately and disposed properly.

(d) Discard the used mask after a maximum use of 8 hours. Masks are not reusable and should not be washed. After removal of mask, wash hands using water and soap, or rub hands with 70% alcohol or any hand disinfectant.

(3) Proper Hand Hygiene Practice for All

(a) All persons undergoing quarantine and household members should perform proper hand hygiene.

(b) Perform proper hand hygiene by washing hands with soap and water. If hands are not visibly soiled, 70% alcohol or any alcohol-based hand rub can be used.

(c) When using soap and water, disposable paper towels to dry hands is desirable. If not available, use dedicated cloth towels and replace them when they become wet.

(d) Proper hand hygiene should also be performed before and after preparing food, before eating, after using the toilet, and whenever hands look dirty.

(e) Address safety concerns (e.g., accidental ingestion by children and fire hazards) on the use of alcohol-based hand rubs.

(4) Respiratory Hygiene and Standard Precaution for All

(a) Respiratory hygiene/cough etiquette should be practiced at all times. Respiratory hygiene refers to covering the mouth and nose during coughing or sneezing using surgical masks, tissues, flexed elbow, sleeves of clothes, or inside the neckline of shirts, followed by hand hygiene.

(b) Avoid direct contact with body fluids, particularly oral or respiratory secretions, and feces. Use disposable gloves to provide oral or respiratory care and when handling feces, urine, and waste. Wash hands before putting on and after removing gloves.

(c) Avoid other types of possible exposure to the person undergoing quarantine or contaminated items in their immediate environment (e.g., avoid sharing toothbrushes, towels, washcloths, bed linen).

(5) Food Handling of Person Undergoing Home Quarantine

(a) The assigned caretaker of the person undergoing quarantine shall serve their plates/meal trays only up to the room door.

(b) After eating, plates/meal trays should be picked up at the room door by the caretaker using disposable gloves to avoid contamination. Perform proper hand hygiene afterwards.

(c) Eating utensils and dishes should be cleaned with soap or detergent and water after use and maybe re-used instead of being discarded.

(d) Do not share eating utensils, dishes, and drinks with person undergoing quarantine.

(6) Disposal of Used Gloves, Tissue Papers, and Masks

(a) Immediately discard materials used to cover the mouth or nose into the trash or clean reusable items appropriately after use (e.g., wash handkerchiefs using regular soap or detergent and water)

(b) Gloves, tissues, masks, and other waste generated by the person undergoing quarantine should be placed in a container in their room before disposal with other household waste.

(7) Cleaning and Disinfection

(a) Persons undergoing quarantine are encouraged to clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces such as bedside tables, doorknobs, bedframes, and other bedroom furniture daily with regular household disinfectant containing a diluted bleach solution (1-part bleach to 99-parts water).

(b) Clean and disinfect bathroom and toilet at least once daily with regular household disinfectant containing diluted bleach solution (1-part bleach to 99-parts water).

(c) Clean clothes, bedclothes, bath and hand towels, etc. of the person undergoing quarantine using regular laundry soap and water or machine wash at 60-90ºC with common household detergent, and sun-dry. Place used linen in a laundry bag. Do not shake soiled laundry. Additional measures may be needed to prevent unhygienic reuse of gloves, masks. Avoid direct contact of the skin and clothes with the contaminated materials.

(d) Use disposable gloves and protective clothing (e.g., plastic aprons) when cleaning or handling surfaces, clothing or linen soiled with body fluids. Perform proper hand hygiene before and after removing gloves.

(8) Reporting. In case the person undergoing quarantine develops symptoms, they should be reported immediately to the Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (RESU) or Local Surveillance Officer for transport to nearest health facility. All household members should be advised to seek immediate medical care when signs and symptoms develop.

iii. Secure a medical certificate before reporting back to school or work.

(1) For those who have not exhibited symptoms of COVID-19, a Medical Certificate issued by any government/private physician that the learner or personnel has undergone self-quarantine for 14 days upon arrival in the Philippines, has exhibited no symptoms of COVID-19 and is cleared to report back to school or work, shall be submitted to the school and/or the HR unit.

(2) For those who got sick but were not infected by the COVID-19, a Medical Certificate issued by any government/private physician that the learner or personnel has been treated of his/her sickness and is cleared as being fit to report back to school or work shall be submitted to the school and/or the HR unit.

(3) For those who were infected by the COVID-19, a Medical Certificate issued by the Referral Center for Emerging and Re-Emerging Infectious Disease indicating that the learner indicating that the learner or personnel has been treated and is cleared as being fit to report back to school or work shall be submitted to the school and/or the HR unit.

h. All personnel are warned against travelling abroad without approved travel authority, in compliance with the Memorandum from the Executive Secretary, dated January 3, 2018, with subject Directives Applying to Foreign Travels of All Government Officials and Personnel in the Executive Department, and disseminated through DM 008, s. 2018, titled Dissemination of Memorandum from the Executive Secretary Dated 03 January 2018, which provides that "no government official or personnel shall be allowed to depart for any travel abroad, even if such is for a personal or private purposes without cost to the government, unless such official or personnel has obtained the appropriate travel authorization from his/her agency, has duly accomplished the requisite leave forms, and his/her absence shall not hamper the operational efficiency of said agency."

i. The Central Office, Regional Offices, and Schools Division Offices are instructed to strictly monitor adherence to these measures. Refusal to submit to these guidelines may result in the filing of administrative actions for misconduct, insubordination, dishonesty, and other related offenses.

j. Weekend school-wide general cleaning and intensified disinfection efforts, on top of regular cleaning efforts during school days shall continue.

5. Schools Division Offices are reminded to consolidate the weekly health situation reports from schools for submission to the Bureau of Learner Support Services-School Health Division, as guided by the Enclosure No, 2 to DM 15, s. 2020.

6. Private schools are highly encouraged to adopt the precautionary measures contained in this DepEd memorandum.

7. For information, please contact the Quick Response and Recovery Team on COVID-19 (QRRT-COVID-19) at the Bureau of Learner Support Services through email at [email protected] or at telephone number (02) 8632-9935.

8. Immediate dissemination of this Memorandum is desired.

(SGD.) LEONOR MAGTOLIS BRIONESSecretary

References:

To be indicated in the Perpetual Indexunder the following subjects

BUREAUS AND OFFICES

(Enclosure No. 1 to DepEd Memorandum No. 031, s. 2020)

CSC Memorandum No. 05

CSC Resolution No. 2000362

(Enclosure No. 2 to DepEd Memorandum No. 031, s. 2020)

Republic of the Philippines

February 17, 2020

DEPARTMENT MEMORANDUM NO. 2020-0090

 

I. BACKGROUND

After a cluster of pneumonia cases of unknown etiology was reported in Wuhan City, Hubei Province of China last December 31, 2019, Chinese health authorities preliminarily identified the cause of this viral pneumonia as a new or novel type of coronavirus.

With an increasing number of cases spreading to various territories and confirmed human-to-human transmission, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) last January 30, 2020.

The Department of Health (DOH) hereby issues interim guidelines on the management of persons under monitoring (PUMs) suspected with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) for home quarantine.

II. GENERAL GUIDELINES

A. Any person, regardless of nationality, race and age, who does not exhibit any sign nor symptom, has history of travel to other areas of China and/or history of exposure to a confirmed case of COVID-19, within the past 14 days, shall be required to undergo monitored home quarantine.

B. Any person, regardless of nationality, race and age, who exhibits fever or any symptom of lower respiratory fitness, and has a history of travel to other countries with a confirmed case of COVID-19 but without any history of exposure, shall be advised to undergo monitored home quarantine.

C. Those undergoing home quarantine shall be prohibited to leave their rooms/homes where they are quarantined until they have been certified by the local health official to have finished the 14-day requirement for quarantine procedures.

D. Initial coordination should be done with the Local Government Epidemiologic Surveillance Unit on the logistical, administrative and clinical parameters to be standardized in any attempt to refer a PUM for transfer or consultation.

III. IMPLEMENTING GUIDELINES

A. Room Isolation and Contacts of Persons Under Monitoring (PUM)

1. Place the PUM alone in a well-ventilated room, preferably with toilet and bathroom. If this is not possible, maintain a distance of at least 1 motor from the PUM (e.g., sleep in a separate bed).

2. Assign one person who is in good health as caretaker of the PUM.

3. Visitors, family members and even caregivers are not allowed in the PUM's room, if possible.

4. Confine activities of the PUM in his/her room only. If this is not possible, ensure that shared spaces (e.g., kitchen, bathroom) are well ventilated (e.g., keep windows open).

B. Use of Disposable Surgical Mask

1. The PUM should wear a surgical mask fitted tightly to the nose, mouth, and chin when in the same room with another household member or when talking to other people. The use of masks is not required for the person/s the PUM is/are interacting with.

2. If alone, the PUM is not required to wear a mask.

3. Masks should not be touched or handled during use. If the mask gets wet or dirty with secretions, it must be changed immediately and disposed properly.

4. Discard the used mask after a maximum use of 8 hours. Masks are not reusable and should not be washed. After removal of mask, wash hands using water and soap, or rub hands with 70% alcohol or any band disinfectant.

C. Hand Hygiene Practice for ALL

1. All PUMs and household members should perform hand hygiene following contact with PUM or if in contact with their immediate environment.

2. Perform hand hygiene by washing hands with soap and water. If hands are not visibly soiled, 70% alcohol or any alcohol-based hand rub can be used.

3. When using soap and water, disposable paper towels to dry hands is desirable. If not available, use dedicated cloth towels and replace them when they become wet.

4. Hand hygiene should also be performed before and after preparing food, before eating, after using the toilet, and whenever hands look dirty.

5. Address safety concerns (e.g., accidental ingestion by children and fire hazards) on the use of alcohol-based hand rubs.

D. Respiratory Hygiene and Standard Precaution for ALL

1. Respiratory hygiene/cough etiquette should be practiced by all at all times. Respiratory hygiene refers to covering the mouth and nose during coughing or sneezing using surgical masks, tissues, flexed elbow, sleeves of clothes, or inside the neckline of shirts, followed by hand hygiene.

2. Avoid direct contact with body fluids, particularly oral or respiratory secretions, and feces. Use disposable gloves to provide oral or respiratory care and when handling feces, urine and waste. Wash hands before putting on and after removing gloves.

3. Avoid other types of possible exposure to PUM or contaminated items in their immediate environment (e.g., avoid sharing toothbrushes, cigarettes, towels, washcloths, bed linen).

E. Food Handling of PUM on Home Quarantine

1. The assigned caretaker of the PUM shall serve their plates/meal trays only up to the room door.

2. After eating, plates/meal trays should be picked up at the room door by the caretaker using disposable gloves to avoid contamination. Perform hand hygiene afterwards.

3. Eating utensils and dishes should be cleaned with soap or detergent and water after use and may be re-used instead of being discarded.

4. Do not share eating utensils, dishes, and drinks with PUM.

F. Disposal of Used Gloves, Tissue Papers, and Masks

1. Immediately discard materials used to cover the mouth or nose into the trash or clean reusable items appropriately after use (e.g., wash handkerchiefs using regular soap or detergent and water).

2. Gloves, tissues, masks and other waste generated by PUM should be placed in a container in PUM's room before disposal with other household waste.

G. Cleaning and Disinfection

1. PUMs are encouraged to clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces such as bedside tables, doorknobs, bedframes, and other bedroom furniture daily with regular household disinfectant containing a diluted bleach solution (1-part bleach to 99-parts water).

2. Clean and disinfect bathroom and toilet at least once daily with regular household disinfectant containing diluted bleach solution (1-part bleach to 99-parts water).

3. Clean clothes, bedclothes, bath and hand towels, etc. of PUM using regular laundry soap and water or machine wash at 60-90ºC with common household detergent, and sun-dry. Place used linen into a laundry bag. Do not shake soiled laundry. Additional measures may be needed to prevent unhygienic reuse of gloves, masks, avoid direct contact of the skin and clothes with the contaminated materials.

4. Use disposable gloves and protective clothing (e.g., plastic aprons) when cleaning or handling surfaces, clothing or linen soiled with body fluids. Perform hand hygiene before and after removing gloves.

H. Reporting

1. PUM who developed symptoms should be reported immediately to Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (RESU) or Local Surveillance Officer for transport to nearest health facility.

2. All household members of PUM should be advised to seek immediate medical care when signs and symptoms developed.

For strict compliance of all concerned.

(SGD.) FRANCISCO T. DUQUE III, MD, MScSecretary of Health

 

Footnotes

1. https://cnnphilippines.com/world/2020/2/29/World-Health-Organization-coronavirus-risk-very-high-at-global-level.html

2. https://www.who.int/dg/speeches/detail/who-director-general-s-opening-remarks-at-the-media-briefing-on-covid-19---28-february-2020