Recommendations for the Management of 2019 Novel Corona Virus (nCoV) Acute Respiratory Disease (ARD) Situation

January 31, 2020

IATF-EID RESOLUTION NO. 02, S. 2020

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF 2019 NOVEL CORONA VIRUS (NCOV) ACUTE RESPIRATORY DISEASE (ARD) SITUATION

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, recognizing the need for an inter-sectoral collaboration to establish preparedness and ensure efficient government response to assess, monitor, contain, control, and prevent the spread of any potential epidemic in the Philippines, the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (EID) was created by virtue of Executive Order (E.O.) No. 168, s. 2014;

WHEREAS, on January 7, 2020, Chinese health authorities reported that the cause of a viral pneumonia outbreak in the City of Wuhan, Hubei Province, China is a novel type of corona virus (2019-nCoV) that has not been previously identified in humans;

WHEREAS, as of January 30, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared that the 2019-nCoV Acute Respiratory Disease (ARD) is now considered a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC);

WHEREAS, as of January 30, 2020, there are seven thousand eight hundred and eighteen (7,818) confirmed cases worldwide, with one hundred seventy (170) deaths all recorded in China;

WHEREAS, on January 30, 2020, the Philippines through the Department of Health has confirmed the first case of the 2019-nCoV ARD in the country;

WHEREAS, on January 30, 2020, the Office of the President directed travel ban for Chinese nationals coming from the Hubei province of China where the nCoV originated, as well in other places in China where there is a spread of the disease as officially confirmed by the Chinese government;

WHEREAS, E.O. 168, s. 2014 mandates the Inter-Agency Task Force to prevent and/or minimize the entry of suspected or confirmed patients with EID in the country, and to prevent and/or minimize local spread of EID in the country, as well as to establish a system to identify, screen, and assist Filipinos suspected or confirmed to be infected with EID;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, as it is hereby resolved, that the Inter-Agency Task Force approves the following recommendations to guide the management of 2019-nCoV ARD situation:

1. Implement the directive of the Chief Executive in imposing travel restrictions on the following cases:

a. Any person, except Filipino citizens and holders of Permanent Resident Visa issued by the Philippine Government, coming from Hubei Province, as well as other places in China where nCoV ARD has spread, as officially confirmed by the Chinese government will be temporarily banned to enter the Philippines;

b. 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 Hubei Province, as well as other places in China where 2019-nCoV ARD has spread as officially confirmed by Chinese government, and those traveling from China via Hong Kong, will be temporarily banned to enter the Philippines;

c. Filipino citizens who are currently in China (regardless of which province) will be allowed to return to the Philippines. They will be required to undergo quarantine for 14 days. Those who are unwell and currently in China are advised to delay their return to the Philippines and to seek assistance from Philippine Embassy in China for further advice;

d. Filipinos are temporarily banned from travel to Hubei Province, as well as other places in China where 2019-nCoV ARD has spread.

2. Approve the IATF repatriation and quarantine plans in the proposed facility, Fort Magsaysay. Provided, That an expeditious joint inspection by a composite team led by DOH, AFP, PNP and BI is conducted. Provided further, That any potential apprehension or resistance of the community, where the repatriation and quarantine site is located, is addressed by the composite team with the assistance of the Presidential Communication and Operations Office.

APPROVED at the 2nd Inter-Agency Task Force Meeting as reflected in the minutes of the meeting on the 31st of January, 2020, at the Diamond Hotel, Manila, Philippines.

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

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