IATF-EID Amended Resolution No. 160-A, s. 2022

March 10, 2022

IATF-EID AMENDED RESOLUTION NO. 160-A, S. 2022

WHEREAS, Section 2 (c) of Executive Order No. 168 (s.2014) mandates the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) to prevent and/or minimize the local spread of emerging infectious diseases (EID) in the country through the establishment or reinforcement of a system in screening possible patients infected with EID, contact tracing, identification of the mode of the exposure to the virus, and implementation of effective quarantine and proper isolation procedures;

WHEREAS, on 10 September 2021, the President issued Proclamation No. 1218 (s. 2021) further extending the period of the State of Calamity throughout the Philippines until 12 September 2022, unless earlier lifted or extended as circumstances may warrant;

WHEREAS, the Department of Health (DOH), the University of the Philippines-Philippine Genome Center (UP-PGC), and the University of the Philippines-National Institutes of Health (UP-NIH) biosurveillance have detected B.1.1.7 (Alpha), B.1.351 (Beta), P.1 (Gamma), B.1.617 (Delta), and B.1.1.529 (Omicron) variants of SARS CoV-2 in the Philippines;

WHEREAS, in order to minimize the cross-border transmission of SARS CoV-2, there is a need to adopt border control and quarantine measures for all passengers entering the Philippine territory by sea or by air.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, as it is hereby resolved, that, in view of the temporary suspension of the classification of countries, territories and/or jurisdictions into "Green," "Yellow," and "Red," the following shall be the new entry, testing and quarantine protocols for all Filipino citizens arriving from abroad, effective 0001H of 10 February 2022:

A. Fully-vaccinated Filipino nationals:

1. Present a negative Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test taken within forty-eight (48) hours or a negative laboratory based Antigen test taken within twenty-four (24) hours prior to the date and time of departure from the country of origin/first port of embarkation in a continuous travel to the Philippines, excluding lay-overs; provided, that, he/she has not left the airport premises or has not been admitted into another country during such lay-over.

2. Upon arrival, they shall no longer be required to observe mandatory facility-based quarantine but shall self-monitor for any sign or symptom for seven (7) days with the first day being the date of arrival and shall be required to report to the local government unit of destination upon the manifestation of symptoms, if any;

3. A Filipino national shall be deemed fully vaccinated only if he/she is fully compliant with the following requisites:

a. Received the second dose in a 2-dose series or a single dose vaccine more than fourteen (14) days prior to the date and time of departure from the country of origin/port of embarkation.

b. The vaccine is included in any of the following:

i. Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) List or Compassionate Special Permit (CSP) issued by the Philippine Food and Drug Administration; or

ii. Emergency Use Listing of the World Health Organization.

c. Possesses and presents any of the following proofs of vaccination prior to departing/boarding from the country of origin/port of embarkation and upon arrival in the country:

i. World Health Organization International Certificate of Vaccination and Prophylaxis; or

ii. VaxCertPH; or

iii. National or state digital certificate of the country/foreign government which has accepted VaxCertPH under a reciprocal arrangement; or

iv. Other proofs of vaccination permitted by the IATF.

4. Filipino nationals who are not compliant with all of the conditions set forth in Section A (1) to (3) above shall be considered as unvaccinated and shall be subject to the entry, testing and quarantine protocols set forth in Section B below.

5. Fully vaccinated Filipino nationals availing of this Section shall not be included in the arrival quota set by the Department of Transportation (DOTR) and its One-Stop-Shop (OSS).

B. Unvaccinated, Partially Vaccinated, or Filipino Nationals Whose Vaccination Status Cannot Be Independently Validated

1. Present a negative Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test taken within forty-eight (48) hours or a negative laboratory based Antigen test taken within twenty-four (24) hours prior to the date and time of departure from the country of origin/first port of embarkation in a continuous travel to the Philippines, excluding lay-overs; provided, that, he/she has not left the airport premises or has not been admitted into another country during such lay-over.

2. Required to undergo facility-based quarantine until the release of their negative RT-PCR test taken on the fifth (5th) day from date of arrival. After which, they shall be required to undergo home quarantine until their fourteenth (14th) day from date of arrival.

3. The local government units (LGUs) of destination and their respective Barangay Health Emergency Response Teams (BHERTs) are tasked to monitor those arriving passengers undergoing home quarantine.

C. Unvaccinated Minor Filipino Nationals

1. Filipino nationals below twelve (12) years of age who are not vaccinated for any reason whatsoever shall follow the quarantine protocols of their parent/s or an accompanying adult/guardian traveling with them.

2. Filipino nationals from twelve (12) years to seventeen (17) years of age shall follow the classification and procedures based on their vaccination status (i.e., vaccinated or unvaccinated). In case of such unvaccinated minor children, either foreign or Filipino parents should accompany such child or children during their facility-based quarantine.

D. Fully-Recovered Filipino Nationals with Positive RT-PCR Pre-Departure Test Results

1. Filipino nationals who have recovered from COVID-19 but test positive for the 48-hour pre-departure RT-PCR test may nonetheless enter the country, provided, they are able to present the following documents prior to departing/boarding from the country of origin/port of embarkation and upon arrival in the Philippines:

a. A positive RT-PCR test taken not earlier than ten (10) days but not later than thirty (30) days prior to the date and time of departure from the country of origin/port of embarkation;

b. The positive Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test taken within forty-eight (48) hours prior to the date and time of departure from the country of origin/first port of embarkation in a continuous travel to the Philippines, excluding lay-overs; provided, that, he/she has not left the airport premises or has not been admitted into another country during such lay-over; and

c. A medical certificate issued by a licensed physician stating that the Filipino national certifying that he/she: (i) was an asymptomatic, mild, moderate, severe or critical case of COVID-19, as the case may be; (ii) has completed the mandatory isolation period; (iii) is no longer infectious; and (iv) has been allowed free movement and travel.

2. Upon arrival, the COVID-19 positive Filipino national shall be subject to the following protocols:

a. If fully vaccinated, they shall no longer be required to observe mandatory facility-based quarantine but shall self-monitor for any sign or symptom for seven (7) days with the first day being the date of arrival and shall be required to report to the local government unit of destination upon the manifestation of symptoms, if any;

b. If unvaccinated, partially vaccinated, or vaccination status cannot be independently determined, they shall be required to undergo facility-based quarantine until the release of their negative RT-PCR test taken on the fifth (5th) day. After which, they shall be required to undergo home quarantine until their fourteenth (14th) day, with the date of arrival being the first day.

3. The current local quarantine and isolation periods and protocols as embodied under Department of Health Administrative Order No. 2021-0043 or the Omnibus Guidelines on the Minimum Public Health Standards for the Safe Reopening of Institutions are hereby reiterated for strict compliance, or other applicable rules as may be implemented by the Department of Health.

E. All inbound Filipinos shall register with the OneHealth Pass prior to arrival in the Philippines.

RESOLVED FURTHER, this resolution shall supersede the relevant entry, testing, and quarantine protocols for Filipino nationals under IATF Resolution Nos. 158, dated 20 January 2022, and 159 dated 27 January 2022. Other previous IATF resolutions inconsistent herewith are deemed modified accordingly.

RESOLVED FINALLY, that the Chairperson and the Co-Chairperson shall be duly authorized to sign this Resolution for and on behalf of the Inter-Agency Task Force.

APPROVED during the 160th Inter-Agency Task Force Meeting, as reflected in the minutes of the meeting, held this February 03, 2022, via video conference.

(SGD.) KARLO ALEXEI B. NOGRALESSecretary, Office of the Cabinet SecretariatIATF Co-Chairperson

ATTACHMENT

Certification

This is to certify that:

1. I am presently an Undersecretary of the Department of Health;

2. I am the Head of the Secretariat of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases created under Executive Order No. 168, (s.2014) and chaired by the Department of Health (DOH);

3. The IATF Secretariat holds office in the DOH Main Office, San Lazaro Compound, Tayuman, Sta. Cruz, Manila;

4. I am the custodian of the records of the IATF, including the Minutes of Meetings and Resolutions;

1. n  In the Regular Meeting of the IATF held on 03 February 2022 via teleconference during which a quorum was present and acted throughout, IATF Resolution No. 160-A was unanimously approved and adopted;

5. IATF Resolution No. 160-A has been amended and is being republished pursuant to IATF Resolution No. 164-A (s.2021);

6. The foregoing resolution has been signed by Secretary Francisco T. Duque III and/or Secretary Karlo Alexei B. Nograles upon the authority of the IATF Members;

7. I am executing this Certification for whatever legitimate purpose this may serve.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto affixed my signature this 10th day of March 2022, Manila.

ATTY. CHARADE B. MERCADO-GRANDEUndersecretary of Health

n Note from the Publisher: Copied verbatim from the official document. Irregular numerical sequence.