IATF-EID Resolution No. 168-E, s. 2022

June 4, 2022

IATF-EID RESOLUTION NO. 168-E, 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 IATF approved the shift in the policy of classifying Provinces, Highly Urbanized Cities (HUCs), and Independent Component Cities (ICCs) for purposes of community quarantine and adopted the Alert Level System for identified pilot areas of implementation and piloted the implementation thereof in the National Capital Region (NCR) on 08 September 2021, and has since expanded to other regions;

WHEREAS, the President issued Executive Order No. 151 (s. 2021) on 11 November 2021, approving the nationwide implementation of the Alert Level System for COVID-19 Response;

WHEREAS, the IATF, through IATF Resolution No. 165 dated 24 March 2022, has adopted the policy of including component cities and municipalities in the Alert Level System for purposes of alert level classification.

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

A. As the majority of the Provinces, Highly Urbanized Cities (HUCs), Independent Component Cities (ICCs), component cities, and municipalities are placed under Alert Level 1, the IATF recognizes the need to further identify the establishments and/or activities which are allowed to operate, or be undertaken in Alert Level 1. For this purpose, the Guidelines on the Nationwide Implementation of Alert Level Systems for COVID-19 shall hereby be amended as follows:

SECTION [6] GUIDELINES FOR AREAS UNDER ALERT LEVEL 1. — The following protocols shall be observed in areas placed under Alert Level 1, except for portions thereof under granular lockdown, and without prejudice to the minimum public health standards and health and safety protocols issued by national government agencies specific to their sector:

I. PREVENT

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B. All public and private establishments, organizers of events, and local governments shall implement the following protocols:

1. Administrative controls.

a. All private offices and workplaces, including public and private construction sites, may operate at full 100% capacity (consistent with national issuances on vaccination requirements for on-site work). However, they may continue to provide flexible and alternative work arrangements as deemed appropriate based on function or individual risk.

b. Agencies and instrumentalities of the government shall adhere to 100% on-site workforce. Off-site work shall be under such work arrangements subject to relevant rules and regulations issued by the Civil Service Commission and the Office of the President.

c. All establishments and/or activities prohibited or allowed to operate and/or be undertaken in limited capacity under Alert Levels 5, 4, 3, and 2 shall be allowed to operate and/or be undertaken at full 100% capacity, subject to the requirement of presentation of proof of full vaccination before participating in mass gatherings or entry into indoor establishments as specified under Item VI of Section [6] of this Guidelines.

d. Public transportation in areas under Alert Level 1 shall be at full seating capacity. For intrazonal and interzonal travels involving public land transportation between an area with a higher alert level classification and an area under Alert Level 1, the passenger capacity shall be that which has the lower passenger capacity rate between the point of origin and point of destination. For aviation, maritime and rail public transport operating in and out of Alert Level 1 areas, the passenger capacity will be at 100%. The use of acrylic and/or plastic dividers shall not be required. The use of the Safe, Swift and Smart Passage (S-PaSS) travel management system shall likewise not be required for interzonal travel to areas under Alert Level 1.

e. Designate a Safety and Health Officer/s who shall ensure, monitor, and evaluate proper implementation and strict observance of the minimum public health standards.

f. Prepare a contingency plan for the establishment which shall include coordination with the local government and health care provider networks, management of staff and visitors with COVID-19 symptoms, processes for establishment lockdown and disinfection, and alternative processes in case of escalation of Alert Level status.

g. Regularly disinfect high-risk areas such as but not limited to areas for gatherings, highly touched surfaces, and frequently visited areas such as entrance and exit points, restrooms, hallways, elevators using Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved disinfectants.

h. National government agencies and local government units endeavor to include health and safety in routine assessments to be conducted regularly.

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RESOLVED FURTHER, that the Co-Chairperson shall be duly authorized to sign this Resolution for and on behalf of the Inter-Agency Task Force.

APPROVED, this June 4, 2022, via ad referendum.

(SGD.) DELFIN N. LORENZANASecretary, Department of National DefenseIATF Co-ChairpersonNTF Chairperson

ATTACHMENT

Certification

This is to certify that:

1. I am presently an OIC-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. IATF Resolution No. 168-E was unanimously approved and adopted;

6. The foregoing resolution has been signed by Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana 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 4th day of June 2022, Manila.

(SGD.) ATTY. CHARADE B. MERCADO-GRANDEOIC-Undersecretary of Health