IATF-EID Resolution No. 141, s. 2021

September 30, 2021

IATF-EID RESOLUTION NO. 141, 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 (s. 2014) mandates the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) to prevent and/or minimize the entry of suspected or confirmed patients with emerging infectious diseases into the country;

WHEREAS, on September 10, 2021, the President issued Proclamation No. 1218 (s. 2021) further extending the period of the State of Calamity throughout the Philippines until September 12, 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), and P.1 (Gamma) variants of SARS-CoV-2 in the Philippines. The DOH, UP-PGH, and UP-NIH have likewise confirmed the presence of the B.1.617 (Delta) variant that was first detected in India;

WHEREAS, the continued implementation of proactive measures and restrictions must be put in place to slow down the surge in COVID-19 cases, stop further spread of variants, buy time for the health system to cope, and to protect more lives.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, as it is hereby resolved, that the IATF approves the following:

A. Upon the directives of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, the National COVID-19 Immunization Program shall be opened to the general public nationwide upon the determination of the National Task Force Against COVID-19 and its Vaccine Cluster. Further, beginning 15 October 2021, the vaccination of the pediatric population (those between the ages of twelve and seventeen (12-17) years old) with vaccines granted Emergency Use Authorization by the Food and Drug Administration shall be piloted under a phased approach as may be determined by the National Vaccination Operations Center.

B. The allowable indoor capacities of indoor dine-in services, indoor in-person religious gatherings, and personal care services limited to barbershops, hair spas, nail spas, and beauty salons in Areas under Alert Level 4 of the Pilot Guidelines in the Implementation of Alert Levels System in the National Capital Region shall be increased by an additional ten percentage (10%) points with the same conditionalities and implementation of minimum public health standards. The Guidelines on the Pilot Implementation of Alert Levels System for COVID-19 Response in the National Capital Region is hereby amended accordingly.

C. Community healthcare workers may hereinafter be allowed to move within, into, and out of the area under granular lockdown if their institutions are unable to provide accommodation for them. For this purpose, Section 6 of the Second Part of the Guidelines on the Pilot Implementation of Alert Levels System for COVID-19 Response in the National Capital Region is amended, as follows:

SECTION [6] MOVEMENT. The list of Authorized Persons Outside Residences under the IATF Omnibus Guidelines on the Implementation of Community Quarantine in the Philippines, as amended, shall not apply in areas under granular lockdowns. Only health care workers (HCWs) and non-health personnel working in hospitals, laboratories, dialysis facilities, and community healthcare workers if their institutions are unable to provide accommodation for their personnel, and uniformed personnel tasked to enforce the granular lockdown, shall be allowed to move within, into, and out of the area under granular lockdown.

D. The recommendations of the IATF Technical Working Group are approved, the specifics of which are as follows:

1. Fitness studios and gyms shall be allowed to reopen under a limited capacity in areas under Alert Level 4. The Guidelines on the Pilot Implementation of Alert Levels System in the National Capital Region is hereby amended with the insertion of the following provision:

8. Fitness studios and gyms for individual non-contact exercise shall be allowed at a limited twenty (20%) venue capacity but may accommodate only individuals who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Provided, that patrons/clients and service providers wear face masks at all times and that no group activities are conducted. Provided further, that all workers/employees of these establishments are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Provided further still, that MPHS and such other protocols as may be prescribed by the DTI shall be strictly maintained. Provided finally, that there is no objection from the LGU where these activities may take place.

2. Establishments allowed to operate under the Alert Level 4 which have been awarded the Safety Seal Certification shall be allowed additional venue capacity of ten percentage (10%) points beyond their prescribed venue/seating capacity. For this purpose, the Guidelines on the Pilot Implementation of Alert Levels System in the National Capital Region is hereby further amended with the insertion of the following provision:

9. Establishments allowed to operate under this Section may be permitted to operate at an additional ten percentage 10% points beyond the prescribed venue/seating capacity if awarded with Safety Seal Certifications.

3. The IATF endorses to local government units (LGUs) the conduct of the routine and catch-up immunization and the community-based Measles-Rubella and Tetanus-Diphtheria (MR-Td) Immunization Activities of the DOH. For this purpose, children less than 2 y.o. for routine immunization and children six to seven years old (6-7 y.o) and twelve to thirteen years old (12-13 y.o.) for MR-Td community-based immunization shall be exempt from community quarantine restrictions. LGUs are hereby strongly enjoined to fast track routine and catch-up immunization and community-based MR-Td immunization by dedicating Wednesdays for child vaccination by shifting all healthcare workers from COVID-19 vaccination activities and adjusting COVID-19 vaccination targets on Wednesdays, and continue catch-up and routine immunization and community-based MR-Td immunization for the rest of the week with the following:

a. Shift all DOH-deployed nurses under the Nursing Deployment Programs to implement child vaccinations;

b. Tap private health care providers for additional vaccinators; and

c. Tap government and non-government agencies for logistical support.

4. Recognizing the jurisdiction and mandate of the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) over air rights agreements in the Philippines under existing laws, the IATF poses no objection to the proposal of the Airline Operators Council for triangulated international arrival flights to different Philippine gateways which the CAB may approve on a per airline basis.

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 141st Inter-Agency Task Force Meeting, as reflected in the minutes of the meeting, held this September 30, 2021, via video conference.

(SGD.) KARLO ALEXIE B. NOGRALESSecretary, Office of the Cabinet Secretariat

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;

5. In the Regular Meeting of the IATF held on 30 September 2021 via teleconference during which a quorum was present and acted throughout, IATF Resolution No. 141 was unanimously approved and adopted;

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. 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 30th day of September 2021, Manila.

(SGD.) ATTY. CHARADE B. MERCADO-GRANDEUndersecretary of Health