IATF-EID Resolution No. 2, s. 2022

October 4, 2022

IATF-EID RESOLUTION NO. 2, 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 (EO) 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 12, 2022, the President issued Proclamation No. 57 (s. 2022) further extending the period of the State of Calamity throughout the Philippines until December 31, 2022, unless earlier lifted or extended as circumstances may warrant;

WHEREAS, on September 12, 2022, the wearing of masks has already been liberalized by virtue of Executive Order No. 3 (s. 2022);

WHEREAS, to further boost the recovery of the economy, and to facilitate streamlined entry of Filipino and Foreign nationals into the Philippines, there is a need to revisit the prevailing entry, testing, and quarantine protocols;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, as it is hereby resolved, that the IATF hereby recommends to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., President of the Republic of the Philippines, to issue an Executive Order easing travel restrictions for inbound travelers, as follows:

A. Fully Vaccinated Individuals

1. Pre-departure testing for fully vaccinated inbound travelers, whether Filipinos or Foreign nationals, shall no longer be required.

Filipino and Foreign nationals shall be deemed fully vaccinated only if he/she is fully compliant with the following requisites:

a. Received the second dose in a 2-dose series or a single dose COVID-19 vaccine more than fourteen (14) days prior to the date and time of departure from the country of origin/port of embarkation.

b. Possess and presents any of the following proofs of vaccination:

i. World Health Organization International Certificate of Vaccination and Prophylaxis;

ii. VaxCertPH;

iii. National or state manual/digital vaccination certificate of the country/foreign government;

iv. Other proof of vaccination.

B. Unvaccinated, Partially Vaccinated, or Whose Vaccination Status Cannot be Independently Validated:

1. Filipinos and Foreign nationals fifteen (15) years or older shall present a remotely supervised, or a laboratory-based rapid antigen negative test result administered and certified by a healthcare professional in a healthcare facility, laboratory, clinic, pharmacy, or other similar establishment taken within twenty-four (24) hours, prior to the date and time of departure from the country of origin/first port of embarkation in a continuous travel to the Philippines, excluding lay-overs; provided, that, he/she has not left the airport premises or has not been admitted into another country during such lay-over.

2. Filipinos and Foreign nationals fifteen (15) years or older who fail to present negative pre-departure testing with conditions set forth above, shall be required to undergo a laboratory-based rapid antigen negative test administered and certified by a healthcare professional in a healthcare facility, laboratory, clinic, pharmacy, or other similar establishment taken upon arrival at the airport.

3. Accompanied minors below fifteen (15) years of age who are not vaccinated for any reason whatsoever shall follow the quarantine protocols of their parent/s or an accompanying adult/guardian traveling with them.

4. Unaccompanied minors below fifteen (15) years of age who are not vaccinated for any reason whatsoever shall follow the protocols set forth in Section B (1) and (2) above.

C. Any inbound traveler, whether Filipino or Foreign national, who shall test positive for COVID-19 through rapid antigen test shall be subjected to the latest prevailing quarantine and isolation protocols of the DOH

APPROVED during the 2nd Inter-Agency Task Force Meeting, as reflected in the minutes of the meeting, held this October 4, 2022, via teleconferencing.

(SGD.) MARIA ROSARIO S. VERGEIRE, MD, MPH, CESO IIOfficer-in-Charge, Department of Health

By the authority of the Secretary

Signed by representativeSecretary

(SGD.) BENJAMIN C. ABALOS, JR.Secretary

(SGD.) MA. ESPERANZA CHRISTINA GARCIA FRASCOSecretary

(SGD.) JAIME J. BAUTISTASecretary

(SGD.) BIENVENIDO E. LAGUESMASecretary

(SGD.) IVAN JOHN E. UYSecretary

Signed by representativeSecretary

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. 2 was approved and adopted;

6. The foregoing resolution has been signed by the members of the IATF;

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 October 2022, Manila.

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