IATF-EID Resolution No. 149-A, s. 2021

November 18, 2021

IATF-EID RESOLUTION NO. 149-A, 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 interim testing and quarantine protocols to be observed for international arriving passengers in all ports of entry in the Philippines beginning 22 November 2021:

A. For those coming from countries/territories/jurisdictions under the Green List:

1. For fully vaccinated Filipinos:

a. Facility-based quarantine with on-arrival Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) testing until the release of their negative results. Afterwhich, the individual is enjoined to self-monitor until the fourteenth (14th) day of their arrival with the date of arrival being the first day; or

b. If with a negative test taken within seventy-two hours (72hrs) prior to the departure from the country of origin, no facility-based quarantine, and no on-arrival RT-PCR test is required.

2. For fully vaccinated foreigners, a negative RT-PCR test shall be required to be taken within seventy-two hours (72hrs) prior to departure from the country of origin. Upon arrival, no facility-based quarantine and no on-arrival RT-PCR test will be further required but the passenger is enjoined to self-monitor for any symptoms until the fourteenth (14th) day with the first day being the date of arrival.

3. For unvaccinated, partially vaccinated, individuals whose vaccination status cannot be independently validated, and those vaccinated but failed to comply with the above test-before-travel requirements, facility-based quarantine until the release of a negative RT-PCR test taken on the fifth (5th) day and self-monitor until the fourteenth (14th) day of arrival with the date of arrival being the first day.

4. All passengers, whether Filipinos or foreigners, merely transiting through a non-Green List countries/territories/jurisdictions shall not be deemed as having come from or having been to said countries/territories/jurisdictions if they stayed in the airport the whole time and were not cleared for entry into such countries/territories/jurisdictions by its immigration authorities.

B. For those coming from countries/territories/jurisdictions under the Yellow List:

1. For fully vaccinated individuals:

a. A negative RT-PCR test conducted within 72 hrs prior to departure from the country of origin will be required. Upon arrival, they shall undergo facility-based quarantine with a 3rd day RT-PCR test, with the date of arrival being the first day. Upon release of a negative RT-PCR test, they may be discharged from facility quarantine. After which, they are enjoined to self-monitor up to the 14th day from the date of arrival; or

b. If without a negative pre-departure test, they shall undergo facility-based quarantine with a fifth (5th) day RT-PCR test, with the date of arrival being the first day. Upon the release of a negative RT-PCR test, they may be discharged from facility quarantine. After which, they shall be required to undergo home quarantine until the 10th day from the date of arrival.

2. Individuals who are unvaccinated, partially vaccinated, or whose vaccination status cannot be independently validated are to undergo facility-based quarantine with an RT-PCR test done on the seventh (7th) day, with the date of arrival being the first day. Upon the release of a negative RT-PCR test, individuals shall be required to undergo home quarantine until the fourteenth (14th) day from the date of arrival.

C. The inbound international travel of all persons, regardless of vaccination status, coming from or who have been to "Red List" countries/territories/jurisdictions within the last fourteen (14) days prior to arrival to any port of the Philippines shall not be allowed. Only Filipinos returning to the country via government-initiated repatriation, non-government-initiated repatriation, and Bayanihan Flights may be allowed entry subject to a ten-day facility-based quarantine upon arrival with RT-PCR testing on the seventh (7th) day with Day 1 being the day of arrival. Notwithstanding a negative test result, the arriving traveler shall complete the minimum facility-based quarantine period of ten (10) days. Upon the completion of the mandated 10-day facility based quarantine and presentation of a negative RT-PCR result, they may be discharged from the facility. Passengers, whether Filipinos or foreigners, merely transiting through Red List countries/territories/jurisdictions shall not be deemed as having come from or having been to said country/territory/jurisdiction if they stayed in the airport the whole time and were not cleared for entry into such country/territory/jurisdiction by its immigration authorities. Upon arrival in the Philippines, passengers who merely transited through a Red List country/territory/jurisdiction shall comply with existing testing and quarantine protocols.

D. The testing and quarantine protocols of minors shall follow the testing and quarantine protocol of the parent/guardian traveling with them, regardless of the minor's vaccination status, and country of origin.

E. The Bureau of Quarantine shall ensure strict symptom monitoring while the passengers are in facility quarantine.

F. All individuals undergoing facility-based quarantine at the date of implementation of this provision may retroactively avail of the same.

G. The foregoing testing and quarantine protocols shall be subject to special protocols approved by the IATF or the Office of the President for certain classes of travelers or ports of origin. The inbound travel of foreign nationals shall be subject to visa categories allowed entry in the Philippines, and immigration laws, rules, and regulations such that the Commissioner of Immigration shall have the exclusive prerogative to decide on waiver or recall of exclusion orders for all foreign nationals authorized entry under relevant IATF resolutions, subject to regular reporting to the IATF Secretariat at the end of each calendar month.

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 149th Inter-Agency Task Force Meeting, as reflected in the minutes of the meeting, held this November 18, 2021, via video conference.

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

(SGD.) KARLO ALEXEI 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 18 November 2021 via teleconference during which a quorum was present and acted throughout, IATF Resolution No. 149-A 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 Par. C. thereof has been amended for the inclusion of RT-PCR testing 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 18th day of November 2021, Manila.

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