Interim Guidelines for Absences Due to Quarantine and/or Treatment Relative to COVID-19
OCA Circular No. 165-2020 establishes interim guidelines for judges and court personnel regarding absences due to COVID-19 quarantine and treatment. Those infected, symptomatic, or in close contact with a positive case must undergo quarantine, with absences classified as excused. Required documentation, including medical certificates, must be submitted to validate the absence; failure to do so will result in the use of sick leave instead. These guidelines apply to all court personnel and are retroactively effective from March 16, 2020, remaining in place until the state of public health emergency is lifted.
Quick Answers
- What is Interim Guidelines for Absences Due to Quarantine and/or Treatment Relative to COVID-19 about?
- OCA Circular No. 165-2020 establishes interim guidelines for judges and court personnel regarding absences due to COVID-19 quarantine and treatment. Those infected, symptomatic, or in close contact with a positive case must undergo quarantine, with absences classified as excused. Required documentation, including medical certificates, must be submitted to validate the absence; failure to do so will result in the use of sick leave instead. These guidelines apply to all court personnel and are retroactively effective from March 16, 2020, remaining in place until the state of public health emergency is lifted.
- What type of law is OCA Circular No. 165-2020?
- Interim Guidelines for Absences Due to Quarantine and/or Treatment Relative to COVID-19 (OCA Circular No. 165-2020) is a Philippine Supreme Court Issuances enacted by the Congress of the Philippines.
- When was Interim Guidelines for Absences Due to Quarantine and/or Treatment Relative to COVID-19 enacted?
- Interim Guidelines for Absences Due to Quarantine and/or Treatment Relative to COVID-19 (OCA Circular No. 165-2020) was enacted on Oct 8, 2020.
- What is the citation for Interim Guidelines for Absences Due to Quarantine and/or Treatment Relative to COVID-19?
- Interim Guidelines for Absences Due to Quarantine and/or Treatment Relative to COVID-19, OCA Circular No. 165-2020, Oct 8, 2020 (Philippines)
Law Information
- Reference Number
- OCA Circular No. 165-2020
- Date Enacted
- Category
- Supreme Court Issuances
- Subcategory
- Office of the Court Administrator Circulars
- Jurisdiction
- Philippines
- Enacting Body
- Congress of the Philippines
Full Law Text
October 8, 2020
OCA CIRCULAR NO. 165-2020
| TO | : | All Judges and Court Personnel of the First and Second Level Courts |
| SUBJECT | : | Interim Guidelines for Absences Due to Quarantine and/or Treatment Relative to COVID-19 |
As a precautionary measure against the spread of COVID-19 in the lower courts, judges and court personnel who are infected with COVID-19, exhibit symptoms of COVID-19, have been in close contact with a COVID-19 positive individual, or by reason of travel, are required to undergo quarantine and/or treatment for COVID-19.
In this connection, the absence from work due to the required period of self-quarantine and/or treatment for COVID-19, as applicable, shall be governed by the following guidelines:
|
Categories |
Nature of Absence from Work |
Procedure upon Return to Work |
|
1. For those infected with COVID-19 and tested positive in Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) or swab test. a. Localized transmissions while in the performance of their official functions. b. Localized transmissions due to personal or non-work related activities. |
1. Excused absence 1 for the entire quarantine period from 1st day of symptoms until a clearance is issued that they are already fit to work.
a. Those under category 1.a, the quarantine and treatment period shall be considered excused absence. b. Those under 1.b, the fourteen (14) calendar days quarantine period shall be considered as excused absence and the period of their treatment thereafter shall be considered sick leave chargeable against their leave credits, if any. |
Submit the following to the Employees Leave Division, Office Administrative Services, Office of the Court Administrator: 1. Application for Leave of Absence (required quarantine leave and/or COVID-19 treatment leave). 2. Medical Certificate issued by government/private physician that they have tested positive for COVID-19, have been in close contact with a COVID-19 positive individual, or have been required to undergo self-quarantine leave. 3. Medical Certificate that they are cleared to report back to work.
NOTE: Failure to submit the required documents in support of the grant of self-quarantine leave shall result in the utilization of sick leave, instead of the quarantine leave due to COVID-19. |
|
2. For those who came into close contact with someone identified as COVID-19 positive and are advised to undergo self-quarantine upon prior consultation with government/private physician. |
2. Excused absence for the required fourteen (14) calendar days quarantine from 1st day of symptom/s, if advised to undergo self-quarantine by a government/private physician. |
|
|
3. For those with mild symptoms (cough, colds, fever, sore throat and/or diarrhea) and are advised to undergo self-quarantine upon prior consultation with government/private physician. |
3. Excused absence for the required fourteen (14) calendar days quarantine from 1st day of symptom/s, if advised to undergo self-quarantine by a government/private physician. |
|
|
4. For those required to go on self-quarantine by reason of travel (local or out of the country) |
4. The applicable provisions of Civil Service Commission Memorandum Circular (CSC MC No, 08, s. 2020) shall be followed. |
These guidelines shall apply to all judges, officials and employees of the First and Second level courts, regardless of status of appointment (permanent, temporary, provisional, substitute, coterminous, casual, contractual or fixed term).
This Circular shall take effect retroactively on March 16, 2020, the start of the Enhanced Community Quarantine in Luzon, and shall remain in force until the State of Public Health Emergency and the Community Quarantine have been lifted by the Office of the President.
For your information and guidance.
(SGD.) JOSE MIDAS P. MARQUEZCourt Administrator
Footnotes
1. Excused Absence shall refer to the period when government personnel are not required to report for work (required quarantine and/or treatment, and work suspensions), but are entitled to pay, as declared by the President or the appropriate and competent authorities.
Cite This Law
Interim Guidelines for Absences Due to Quarantine and/or Treatment Relative to COVID-19, OCA Circular No. 165-2020, Oct 8, 2020 (Philippines)
Interim Guidelines for Absences Due to Quarantine and/or Treatment Relative to COVID-19, OCA Circular No. 165-2020 (Phil. 2020)
Related Laws
- Interim Guidelines on Absences of Government Officials and Employees during the Community Quarantine Due to COVID-19 PandemicOCA Circular No. 196-2020 • Dec 14, 2020 • Supreme Court Issuances
- Interim Guidelines on Absences of Judges and Court Personnel Due to COVID-19 Vaccination and/or Adverse Events Following the Immunization of COVID-19 VaccineOCA Circular No. 152-2021 • Dec 17, 2021 • Supreme Court Issuances
- Updated Guidelines on COVID-19 Health Protocols, Quarantine and Amendments on the Use of Leave Credits Due to Quarantine and/or Treatment of COVID-19OCA Circular No. 350-2022 • Dec 20, 2022 • Supreme Court Issuances
- Health Guidelines Due to COVID-19 CasesOCA Circular No. 101-2020 • Jun 30, 2020 • Supreme Court Issuances
- Revised Interim Guidelines on Use of Leave Credits for Absences Due to Quarantine and/or Treatment Relative to COVID-19CSC Memorandum Circular No. 008-20 • Apr 2, 2020 • Other Rules and Procedures
- Interim Guidelines on the Use of Leave Credits for Absences Due to Self-Quarantine and/or Treatment Relative to the Corona Virus Disease-2019 (COVID-19)CSC Memorandum Circular No. 005-20 • Feb 20, 2020 • Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) Issuances
Browse More Supreme Court Issuances
Explore other laws in the Supreme Court Issuances category.
View All Supreme Court IssuancesNeed Help Understanding This Law?
Ask our AI assistant to explain provisions, implications, or related laws.
Ask AI About This Law