Implementing the Expanded Travel Ban for the Management of the 2019 Novel Corona Virus Acute Respiratory Disease Situation, Amending for the Purpose Resolution No. 2

February 11, 2020

IATF-EID RESOLUTION NO. 04, S. 2020

IMPLEMENTING THE EXPANDED TRAVEL BAN FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF THE 2019 NOVEL CORONA VIRUS ACUTE RESPIRATORY DISEASE SITUATION, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE RESOLUTION NO. 2

WHEREAS, through Resolution No. 2 (s. 2020), the Inter-Agency Task Force approved the recommended guidelines to manage the 2019 Novel Corona Virus Acute Respiratory Disease (2019-NCoV ARD);

WHEREAS, through Memorandum dated 01 February 2020, the Executive Secretary, by authority of the President, directed all heads of departments, agencies, offices and instrumentalities of the government, including government-owned/or -controlled corporations, government financial institutions, state universities and colleges, and local government units to adopt, coordinate and implement the guidelines recommended by the Task Force in Resolution No. 2, as well as succeeding resolutions that it may promulgate;

WHEREAS, upon coordination with immigration authorities, it has come to the knowledge of the Task Force that a large number of travellers entering the country and originating from China pass through Taiwan; and

WHEREAS, to ensure the utmost protection of the health of the Filipino people, there is a need to implement measures to further ensure that travellers, regardless of nationality, who come from or have recently been to China, are temporarily prohibited from entering the country;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Inter-Agency Task Force and other relevant agencies shall implement the following travel restrictions:

1. Any person, except Filipino citizens and holders of Permanent Resident Visa issued by the Philippine Government, coming from any region of China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan, will be temporarily banned to enter the Philippines;

2. Any person, except Filipino citizens and holders of Permanent Resident Visa issued by the Philippine Government, who, within fourteen (14) days immediately preceding arrival in the Philippines, has been to any region of China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, will be temporarily banned to enter the Philippines;

3. Filipino citizens and holders of Permanent Resident Visa issued by the Philippine Government, who are currently in China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, will be allowed to return to the Philippines, but will be required to undergo a fourteen (14)-day quarantine. Those who are unwell and currently in any of the said places are advised to delay their return to the Philippines and seek assistance from the nearest Philippine Embassy or appropriate agency; and

4. Filipinos are temporarily banned from travel to any of the regions of China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan.

RESOLVED FURTHER THAT the foregoing travel restrictions concerning the regions of China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan shall remain in effect until such time that travellers coming therefrom no longer pose a significant risk of being carriers of the 2019-NCoV ARD, as may be determined by the Task Force. In making such assessment, the Task Force shall consider, among others, whether the screening procedures of those jurisdictions effectively prevent potential carriers of the disease from entering or departing their geographies.

RESOLVED FURTHER THAT Resolution No. 2 of this Task Force, insofar as inconsistent with this Resolution, is hereby amended.

APPROVED during the ___ Inter-Agency Task Force Meeting on the 11th of February 2020, in Malacañang, Manila, Philippines.

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

TEODORO L. LOCSIN JR.Secretary, Department of Foreign Affairs

EDUARDO M. AÑOSecretary, Department of the Interior and Local Government

(SGD.) MENARDO I. GUEVARRASecretary, Department of Justice

(SGD.) SILVESTRE H. BELLO IIISecretary, Department of Labor and Employment

(SGD.) ARTHUR P. TUGADESecretary, Department of Transportation

(SGD.) BERNADETTE FATIMA T. ROMULO-PUYATSecretary, Department of Tourism

GREGORIO B. HONASAN IISecretary, Department of Information and Communications Technology