Recommendations for the Management of Novel Corona Virus Situation

January 28, 2020

IATF-EID RESOLUTION NO. 01, S. 2020

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF NOVEL CORONA VIRUS SITUATION

WHEREAS, Executive Order No. 168, s. 2014, creates the Inter-agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (EID) in the Philippines;

WHEREAS, the Inter-agency Task Force is mandated to establish a system to identify, screen, and assist Filipinos suspected or confirmed to be infected with EID; and to prevent and/or minimize the entry of suspected or confirmed with EID in the country, as well as prevent and/or minimize local spread of EID in the country;

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

WHEREAS, as of January 27, 2020, the World Health Organization has classified the risk level of the spread of nCoV infection as very high in China, high at the regional level, and high at the global level. There are 2,798 confirmed cases of nCoV, where 37 of which are from 11 countries outside of China, with a case fatality rate of 2.9%;

RESOLVED, that the Inter-agency Task Force, anchored on public health principles, approves the following recommendations, to guide the management of nCoV situation:

1. Ensure continuous support to Filipinos in China by providing accurate and timely health information, and other necessary support services;

2. Ensure comprehensive transportation and quarantine plans for Filipinos from Hubei Province who opt to voluntarily return. All returning Filipinos shall be quarantined for 14 days;

3. Propose temporary restriction on issuance of visas for travelers coming from a Hubei Province of China; and

4. Issue travel advisories temporarily discouraging non-essential travel of Filipinos to China.

APPROVED at the ______ Inter-Agency Task Force Meeting as reflected in the minutes of the meeting on the 28th of January, 2020, at the OSEC Conference Room, Department of Health.

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

(SGD.) BRIGIDO J. DULAYUndersecretary, Department of Foreign Affairs

(SGD.) FRANCISCO R. CRUZAssistant Secretary, Department of the Interior and Local Government

(SGD.) ADONIS P. SULITAssistant Secretary, Department of Justice

(SGD.) MARCO ANTONIO S. VALEROSMedical Officer IV, Department of Labor and Employment

(SGD.) BENJAMIN TERENCIOAssistant Officer-in-Charge, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines

(SGD.) CARMELO L. ARCILLAExecutive Director, Civil Aeronautics Board

(SGD.) ERIC STEVEN Y. GUIEBCommand-Surgeon, Philippine Coast Guard