IATF-EID Resolution No. 149, s. 2021

November 18, 2021

IATF-EID RESOLUTION NO. 149, 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. The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases designates Cabinet Secretary and concurrent Acting Presidential Spokesperson Karlo Alexei B. Nograles as the spokesperson for the IATF. The IATF expresses its utmost gratitude to Secretary Herminio L. Roque and wishes him the best in his future endeavors.

B. The recommendations of the Technical Working Group are ratified, the specifics of which are as follows:

1. The conduct of the Philippine Motorcycle Tourism Program Kick-Off Ride and Hybrid Pre-Ride Webinar of the Department of Tourism and its Tourism Promotions Board are approved as the same are within the agency's mandate and is compliant with the IATF Guidelines on the Nationwide Implementation of Alert Level System for COVID-19 Response.

2. Upon the recommendation of the Department of Foreign Affairs, the national COVID-19 vaccination certificate of the following countries, namely Austria, Kazakhstan, Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates shall be accepted/recognized for purposes of arrival quarantine protocols as well as for interzonal/intrazonal movement, in addition to such other countries/territories/jurisdictions whose proofs of vaccination the IATF already approved for recognition in the Philippines, and without prejudice to such other proofs of vaccination approved by IATF for all inbound travelers.

The Bureau of Quarantine, the Department of Transportation-One-Stop-Shop, and the Bureau of Immigration are directed to recognize only the proofs of vaccination thus approved by the IATF.

3. The on-site capacities for agencies and instrumentalities of the government under the Guidelines on the Nationwide Implementation of Alert Level System for COVID-19 Response shall be increased as the Guidelines shall be amended as follows:

a. SECTION [3] GUIDELINES FOR AREAS UNDER ALERT LEVEL 4. The following protocols shall be observed in areas placed under Alert Level 4, except for portions thereof under granular lockdown:

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7. Agencies and instrumentalities of the government shall remain to be fully operational and shall adhere to at least 40% on-site capacity while applying work-from-home and other flexible work arrangements.

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b. SECTION [4] GUIDELINES FOR AREAS UNDER ALERT LEVEL 3. The following protocols shall be observed in areas placed under Alert Level 3, except for portions thereof under granular lockdown:

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4. Agencies and instrumentalities of the government shall remain to be fully operational and shall adhere to at least 60% on-site capacity while applying work-from-home and other flexible work arrangements.

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c. SECTION [5] GUIDELINES FOR AREAS UNDER ALERT LEVEL 2. The following protocols shall be observed in areas placed under Alert Level 2, except for portions thereof under granular lockdown:

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4. Agencies and instrumentalities of the government shall remain to be fully operational and shall adhere to at least 80% on-site capacity while applying work-from-home and other flexible work arrangements.

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To provide sufficient modes of transportation for such an increase, the Department of Transportation may proportionally increase the public transport capacity.

4. With regard to the voluntary use of face shields for areas under Alert Levels 3 to 1, it is hereby clarified that the same is without prejudice to employers still requiring their use for their employees/workers and/or customers in their respective premises.

Moreover, all issuances of the national government agencies inconsistent with the Memorandum of the Executive Secretary dated 15 November 2021, on Protocols on the Use of Face Shields, shall be considered as amended and/or modified accordingly.

5. In furtherance of IATF Resolution No. 148-B (s.2021) providing for the implementation of measures to increase demand for COVID-19 vaccinations but except when all the onsite employees/workers of an establishment are required under the Alert Level System Guidelines to be fully vaccinated, all partially vaccinated employees in the public and private sector tasked to do onsite work need not undergo regular RT-PCR test at their own expense, as long as their second dose is not yet due pursuant to the interval prescribed for the brand of vaccine received as first dose.

6. To clarify the requirement of regular RT-PCR tests for purposes of onsite work, its frequency shall be construed as that determined by the employer but which should be at least once every two weeks.

C. In support of the whole-of-nation and whole-of-society approach to COVID-19 vaccination, the IATF fully supports the National Vaccination Days or the "Bayanihan, Bakunahan" from November 29 to December 1, 2021. All member agencies are directed to extend full support for this simultaneous vaccination rollout. In furtherance thereto, all government offices, agencies, and instrumentalities, and local government units are encouraged to assign and/or allow all of their respective healthcare workers to participate in this event.

D. In support of the thrust of the Department of Tourism to boost Philippine tourism, fully vaccinated individuals coming from Green List countries/territories/jurisdictions shall be allowed entry in the country subject to the guidelines as may be finalized and approved by the IATF.

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 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 18th day of November 2021, Manila.

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