IATF-EID Resolution No. 156, S. 2022

January 6, 2022

IATF-EID RESOLUTION NO. 156, S. 2022

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 (c) 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 local spread of emerging infectious diseases (EID) in the country through the establishment or reinforcement of a system in screening possible patients infected with EID, contact tracing, identification of the mode of exposure to the virus, and implementation of effective quarantine and proper isolation procedures;

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), P.1 (Gamma), B.1.617 (Delta), and B.1.1.529 (Omicron) variants of SARS-CoV-2 in the Philippines.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, as it is hereby resolved, that the IATF approves the recommended policy shift in the quarantine and isolation of the Department of Health, the specifics of which are as follows:

A. Hospital infection prevention and control committees shall be authorized to implement shortened quarantine protocols of five (5) days for their fully vaccinated healthcare workers consistent with health care capacity needs and individualized risk assessment. Further, in extreme circumstances and upon weighing risks and benefits, hospital infection prevention and control committees are also authorized to implement shortened isolation protocols for their COVID-19 confirmed fully vaccinated healthcare workers. The foregoing shall be subject to the more specific protocols as may be issued by the Department of Health.

B. Home isolation for COVID-19 confirmed individuals with asymptomatic, mild, or moderate disease, and home quarantine for close contacts of suspect, probable, or confirmed COVID-19 cases shall be allowed subject to the more specific protocols as may be issued by the Department of Health.

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 156th Inter-Agency Task Force Meeting, as reflected in the minutes of the meeting, held this January 06, 2022, 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;

1. n  In the Regular Meeting of the IATF held on 06 January 2022 via teleconference during which a quorum was present and acted throughout, IATF Resolution No. 156 was unanimously approved and adopted;

5. The foregoing resolution has been signed by Secretary Francisco T. Duque Ill and/or Secretary Karlo Alexei B. Nograles upon the authority of the IATF Members;

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

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto affixed my signature this 6th day of January 2022, Manila.

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

 

n Note from the Publisher: Copied verbatim from the official document. Irregular numerical sequence.