IATF-EID Resolution No. 056, s. 2020

July 16, 2020

IATF-EID RESOLUTION NO. 056, S. 2020

WHEREAS, on April 30, 2020, the Office of the Executive Secretary issued Executive Order (E.O.) No. 112, Imposing an Enhanced Community Quarantine in High-Risk Geographic Areas of the Philippines and a General Community Quarantine in the Rest of the Country from 01 to 15 May 2020, Adopting the Omnibus Guidelines on the Implementation Thereof, and for Other Purposes;

WHEREAS, on May 23, 2020, pursuant to the authority granted to the IATF under E.O. 112, the IATF issued and published amended Omnibus Guidelines on the Implementation of the Community Quarantine in the Philippines;

WHEREAS, due to developments in the situation of the COVID-19 health event in the country, further amendments are required to further streamline the government's response to the pandemic;

WHEREAS, as of 16 July 2020, there are Thirty-Eight Thousand One Hundred Eighty-Three active cases of COVID-19 in the Philippines.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, as it is hereby resolved that the recommendations of the IATF Technical Working Group are approved, the specifics of which are as follows:

A. Beginning 01 August 2020, foreign nationals with long-term visas (immigrant visas under Sec. 13 of CA 613; RA 7919 and EO 324, including native-born foreign nationals) shall be allowed entry in the Philippines while maintaining the priority of returning Overseas Filipinos subject to the following conditions:

1. Must have valid and existing visas at the time of entry. However, no new entry visa application shall be accepted;

2. With pre-booked accredited quarantine facility;

3. With pre-booked COVID-19 testing provider;

4. Subject to the maximum capacity of inbound passengers at the port and date of entry; and

The foregoing is without prejudice to applicable immigration laws, rules and regulations.

B. The Omnibus Guidelines providing for indoor and outdoor sports and other forms of exercise in areas under General Community Quarantine and Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ) shall be amended to prohibit the spectators in non-contact sports and exercises, to wit:

Section [4]. General Community Quarantine. —

13. Outdoor non-contact sports and other forms of exercise such as but not limited to walking, jogging, running, biking, golf, swimming, tennis, badminton, equestrian, range shooting, and skateboarding are allowed. Provided, that the minimum public health standards such as the wearing of masks and the maintenance of social distancing protocols, and no sharing of equipment where applicable, are observed. Provided, further, that operations of the relevant clubhouses or similar establishments, if any, shall be limited to basic operations and restaurants and cafés therein are hereby allowed to operate at thirty percent (30%) venue capacity provided that it allows for social distancing protocols and that such establishments are compliant with the proper protocols prescribed by the DTI. In this regard, the operation of these dine-in establishments is hereby allowed up to 9:00 PM. For this purpose, the prohibition in Section 4(3) does not apply. Spectators in all non-contact sports and exercises shall be prohibited.

Section [5]. Modified Community Quarantine. —

4. Indoor and outdoor non-contact sports and other forms of exercise such as but not limited to walking, jogging, running, biking, golf, swimming, tennis, badminton, equestrian, range shooting, and skateboarding are allowed. Provided that the minimum public health standards such as the wearing of masks and the maintenance of social distancing protocols, and no sharing of equipment where applicable, are observed. For this purpose, the prohibition in Section 5(3) does not apply. Spectators in all non-contact sports and exercises shall be prohibited.

C. Pursuant to the IATF Resolution Nos. 54 and 55-A whereby the Department of Trade and Industry, the Department of Labor and Employment, and Department of Transportation, were directed to ensure the complementary increase of the capacities of the business sector vis-a-vis available transportation to revitalize the economy in the National Capital Region and Region IV-A, the Omnibus Guidelines prohibiting the operation of Category IV industries in areas under General Community Quarantine shall be amended, to wit:

6. All permitted establishments and activities under Section 2(4) shall be allowed to operate or be undertaken at full operational capacity. In addition, the following sectors or industries shall be allowed to operate at an operational capacity provided herein:

xxx xxx xxx

The foregoing lists of sectors and industries per category are illustrative. Specific industries under each category are reflected in a separate document issued by the DTI which shall contain the updated guidelines to implement gradual increase of operational and venue capacity including operating hours, without diminution of the current capacities and hours previously allowed. This is without prejudice to the authority of the DTI to recategorize Category IV industries as may be found in Paragraph (9) herein.

9. Amusement, gaming, and fitness establishments, as well as those in the kids and the tourism industries, and all Category IV industries may not operate. Industries in Category IV are reflected in the DTI issuance mentioned above. The DTI, in consultation with the Department of Finance, Department of the Interior and Local Government, and the Department of Tourism is hereby authorized to gradually recategorize industries from Category IV to Category III as may be deemed necessary. The resumption of, or gradual increase in operating capacity, and continued operations of Category III industries shall be subject to their proprietors' compliance with the proper health protocols set by the DTI. Further, their compliance shall be assessed through a post-audit mechanism which shall be led by the DTI, DOH, LGU Health Office and/or other deputized organizations.

D. The holding of cockfighting and operation of cockpits, and beerhouses, nightclubs, and similar establishments whose primary business is the serving of alcoholic drinks, shall remain prohibited in areas under MGCQ. For this purpose, the Omnibus Guidelines providing for the resumption of all Category IV industries shall be amended, to wit:

11. Except as otherwise provided below, all permitted establishments and activities under Categories I, II and III of Section 4(6) and those in previous Sections of these Omnibus Guidelines shall be allowed to operate or be undertaken at full operational capacity:

xxx xxx xxx

c. Category IV and all other establishments not permitted to operate under previous Sections of these Guidelines, at a maximum of fifty percent (50%) operational capacity. However, for hotels and other accommodation establishments, only those accredited as provided by law and relevant DOT and DILG issuances may operate, and only upon issuance of a Certificate of Authority to operate by the DOT. For this purpose, DOT and DILG shall work with LGUs to ensure compliance of accommodation establishments. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the DTI is hereby authorized to issue a negative list of industries which shall remain prohibited even in areas under MGCQ. Establishments in the negative list shall not be allowed to operate in any form of community quarantine.

APPROVED during the 56th Inter-Agency Task Force Meeting, as reflected in the minutes of the meeting, held this 16th of July 2020 via video conference.

(SGD.) ROY A. CIMATUSecretary, Department of Environment and Natural Resources

(SGD.) KARLO ALEXEI B. NOGRALESCabinet Secretary, Office of the Cabinet Secretary

(SGD.) FRANCISCO T. DUQUE IIISecretary, Department of Health

ATTACHMENT

Certification

This is to certify that:

1. I am presently an Assistant Secretary of the Department of Health;

2. I am the designated Head of the Secretariat of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases created under Executive Order No. 168, series of 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;

5. In the Regular Meeting of the IATF held on July 16, 2020 via teleconference during which a quorum was present and acted throughout, IATF Resolution No. 56 was unanimously approved and adopted;

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

7. The aforesaid resolution has not been altered, modified nor revoked and the same is now in full force and effect;

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

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto affixed my signature this 16th day of July 2020, Manila.

(SGD.) KENNETH G. RONQUILLO, MD, MPHMAssistant Secretary, Department of Health