Policies and Guidelines Governing Health Measure for Arriving Passengers and Crew from International Travels Due to MERS-CoV Outbreak in Arabian Peninsula and South Korea

June 13, 2015

BUREAU OF QUARANTINE MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 01-15

 

I. Rationale

As mandated by Republic Act No. 9271 and in pursuit to prevent, protect, mitigate the introduction, transmission or spread of public health emergencies of international concern in the country at our airports/seaports of entry, the Department of Health, through the Bureau of Quarantine, is tasked to promulgate and enforce rules and regulations on health screening measure on arriving passengers and crew. HTcADC

II. Purpose and Scope

As mandated by Section 53.1, Part XI of Administrative Order No. 186, series of 2004, otherwise known as the Implementing Rules and Regulations of R.A. 9271, this Circular defines the policies and prescribes the guidelines for effective and efficient health screening measures of arriving passengers and crew to prevent, protect, control and mitigate the transmission or spread of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus (MERS-CoV).

III. Policy Statement

A. General Policy Guidelines

The Bureau hereby adopts efficient, effective, reliable health screening measure due to the MERS-CoV outbreak without necessarily impending restriction to trade, travel, and passengers/crew comfort and safety.

B. Operationally Policy Guidelines

International Guidelines

a) All quarantine personnel assigned at international airports/seaports are hereby ordered to heighten surveillance on travelers arriving with flu-like symptoms. All port authorities, government agencies, airlines, shipping lines are enjoined to report any case/s of FLU LIKE SYMPTOMS.

b) All quarantine personnel assigned at international airports/seaports are order to conduct health promotion and education activities with regard to MERS-CoV through posters, flyers, tarpaulins, public health announcements (PHA) and other I.E.C. material. All port authorities, government agencies, airlines, shipping lines are strongly encouraged to provide assistance in promoting this activity.

c) All arriving passengers/crew must submit a completed Health Declaration Checklist to the Bureau of Quarantine stationed at the arrival area of International Airports.

d) All arriving passengers/crew must be given a Health Alert Notices (HAN). This is to be kept by the passenger/crew for at least 14 days (2 weeks) in order for them to contact proper health authorities if they need help or assistance on MERS-CoV. All port authorities, government agencies, airlines shipping lines are advised to devise a mechanism of explaining to all arriving passengers/crew on the importance of the HAN.

e) All arriving passengers/crew from MERS-CoV affected countries must undergo at home fever monitoring check thru the use of thermal scanners or forehead thermometers for the next 14 days (2 weeks).

f) All sea craft or vessels arriving at seaports of entry are to be boarded first by a Quarantine Medical Officer. Only after a free pratique is issued will other person/s be allowed to embark or disembark. Direct berthing privileges (Controlled Pratique) issuance shall be on a case to case basis or suspended if warranted, depending on the pandemic alert phase of the MERS-CoV.

g) Aircraft Commanders/Master of Vessel are ordered to report in advance case/s of Flu-like symptoms, other health emergencies and deaths on board. Health documents (i.e., General Declaration, Maritime Declaration, Manifest, etc.) are to be accomplished and submitted upon to the Duty Quarantine Medical Officer.

h) All port authorities, government agencies, airlines, shipping lines, port users are enjoined in implementing previously designed and agreed upon quarantine health protocols in handling suspected cas/s of MERS-CoV or ether infectious diseases.

IV. Repealing Clause

All orders, memoranda and or other Bureau of Quarantine issuances in conflict herewith are hereby rescinded, revised or modified accordingly. aScITE

V. Effectivity

This Memorandum Circular shall take effect immediately.

For strict compliance.

FERDINAND S. SALCEDO, MD. MPH. CESO IVOIC-Director IVBureau of Quarantine

(SGD.) FERCHITO L. AVELINO, MDDirector IIIBureau of Quarantine