Recommendations for the Management of the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Situation

February 21, 2020

IATF-EID RESOLUTION NO. 07, S. 2020

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF THE CORONA VIRUS DISEASE 2019 (COVID-19) SITUATION

WHEREAS, on February 5, 2020, the Philippine Government received information concerning the M/V Diamond Princess, a cruise ship that was quarantined off the port of Yokohama, Japan due to a COVID-19 outbreak, and that Filipino passengers and crew were on board;

WHEREAS, on February 17, 2020, pursuant to the directives of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF), the IATF Technical Working Group (TWG) conducted its first meeting and met with Magsaysay Maritime Corporation — the local recruitment agency of the crew onboard M/V Diamond Princess;

WHEREAS, on February 18, 2020, the IATF has resolved that Filipino passengers and crew of the M/V Diamond Princess who request assistance in returning to the Philippines will be repatriated based on the Repatriation Plan and Algorithm of the Department of Health, with the assistance of concerned agencies;

WHEREAS, on the same date, the Department of Health and the Department of the Interior and Local Government have coordinated with the concerned local government units with respect to the designation of the New Clark City as the temporary quarantine facility for the repatriates;

WHEREAS, on February 20, 2020, the Department of Health was informed that Filipinos will be the only remaining nationalities onboard M/V Diamond Princess as all the other countries have started repatriating their own nationals;

WHEREAS, as of February 21, 2020, there are about 497 potential repatriates who requested assistance to return to the Philippines;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, as it is hereby resolved, that the IATF approves the following:

A. The Repatriation Plan presented during the 7th IATF meeting, the salient points of which are the following:

1. The Department of Health shall provide the following:

a. Health human resources;

b. Transport of health human resources to the quarantine site;

c. On-site medical needs of the repatriates;

d. Hospitalization expenses (PhilHealth); and

e. Personal Protective Equipment for the first five days of the quarantine period.

2. Magsaysay Maritime Corporation shall bear the cost of the following:

a. Transportation Expenses in transporting the repatriates from Japan to the Philippines, and upon completion of the quarantine period, from New Clark City to Manila;

b. Personal Protective Equipment for the remaining of the quarantine period;

c. Food;

d. Lodging;

e. Personal Hygiene Kits and Disinfectants;

f. Waste Disposal Services; and

g. Other Incidental Expenses of the Repatriated Crew.

3. The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration shall bear the cost of providing livelihood packages to the repatriates, and their transportation from Manila to their respective destinations after the quarantine period.

4. The Department of Transportation shall provide the transport of the repatriates from the airport to the New Clark City.

B. The head of the local government unit where the quarantine site is situated shall form part of the Inter-Agency Task Force, as an ex-officio member; and

C. The Department of Health shall provide necessary details to the Department of the Interior and Local Government concerning the activation of Barangay Isolation Units.

APPROVED at the 7th Inter-Agency Task Force Meeting as reflected in the minutes of the meeting on the 21st of February, 2020, at the Convention Hall, Department of Health, Manila, Philippines.

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

(SGD.) EPIMACO DENSING IIIUndersecretary, Department of the Interior and Local Government

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

(SGD.) MANUEL ANTONIO L. TAMAYOUndersecretary, Department of Transportation

(SGD.) MARIA RICA C. BUENOAssistant Secretary, Department of Tourism

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

(SGD.) MANUEL ANTHONY S. TANOIC-Undersecretary, Department of Information and Communications Technology

(SGD.) HANS LEO CACDACAdministrator, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration