IATF-EID Resolution No. 099, s. 2021

February 11, 2021

IATF-EID RESOLUTION NO. 099, S. 2021

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

WHEREAS, Section 2 (b) of Executive Order No. 168 mandates the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases to prevent and/or minimize the entry of suspected or confirmed patients with emerging infectious diseases into the country;

WHEREAS, on September 16, 2020, the President issued Proclamation No. 1021 (s. 2020) extending the period of the State of Calamity throughout the Philippines until September 21, 2021;

WHEREAS, the Department of Health received reports regarding a new variant of the SARS-CoV-2 (B.1.1.7 or VUI 2020/12/01) spreading in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (United Kingdom) and another variant identified in South Africa (501.V2);

WHEREAS, Memoranda of the Executive Secretary provided for additional measures to be observed relative to the SARS-CoV-2 Variant detected in the United Kingdom including the imposition of travel restrictions on countries/jurisdictions where the new COVID-19 variants were officially reported, and subjected Filipino citizens coming from the same countries/jurisdictions to an absolute 14-day quarantine period notwithstanding a negative Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test result;

WHEREAS, the continued implementation of proactive measures is necessary to ensure the utmost protection of the health of the Filipino people;

WHEREAS, as of February 10, 2021, there are a total of Thirty Thousand One Hundred Eighty-Eight (30,188) active COVID-19 cases in the Philippines;

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

A. Restrictions on mass gatherings for religious activities in areas under General Community Quarantine shall hereinafter be further relaxed effective February 15, 2021. For this purpose, Section [4], Paragraph 12 of the Omnibus Guidelines on the Implementation of Community Quarantine in the Philippines shall be amended, to wit:

12. Mass gatherings such as but not limited to, movie screenings, concerts, sporting events, and other entertainment activities, community assemblies, and non-essential work gatherings shall be prohibited. Gatherings that are for the provision of critical government services and authorized humanitarian activities while adhering to the prescribed minimum health standards shall be allowed. Religious gatherings in areas under General Community Quarantine shall be allowed up to fifty percent (50%) of the seating or venue capacity. Provided that, religious gatherings shall be limited to the conduct of religious worship and/or service; Provided further, that there is no objection from the local government unit where the religious gathering may take place. The religious denominations should strictly observe their submitted protocols and the minimum public health standards, particularly the social distancing measures and non-pharmaceutical interventions such as the obligatory wearing of face masks and immediate availability of hand hygiene necessities in the premises.

B. Subject to the issuance of implementing guidelines providing for their operational capacity, and oversight of the appropriate regulatory agency and the local government units where they may be located, the following businesses/industries shall be reopened and further expanded:

1. Driving Schools;

2. Traditional Cinemas, and Video- and Interactive-Game Arcades;

3. Libraries, Archives, Museums, and Cultural Centers;

4. Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE), and Limited Social Events at accredited establishments of the Department of Tourism; and

5. Limited Tourist Attractions (e.g., parks, theme parks, natural sites, and historical landmarks).

The reopening and expansion of the above-listed businesses/industries shall comply with the criteria developed by the Department of Health with the strict observance of minimum public health standards, as may be appropriate.

RESOLVED FURTHER, 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 99th Inter-Agency Task Force Meeting, as reflected in the minutes of the meeting, held this 11th of February 2021 via video conference.

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

ATTACHMENT

Certification

This is to certify that:

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

2. I am the interim OIC-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 a regular meeting of the IATF, the IATF Resolution No. 99 was unanimously approved and adopted;

6. The foregoing resolution has been signed by Secretary Francisco T. Duque III and Secretary Karlo Alexei B. Nograles upon the 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 11th day of February 2021, Manila.

(SGD.) ATTY. CHARADE B. MERCADO-GRANDEOIC-Head of the Secretariat, IATFAssistant Secretary of Health