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

February 18, 2020

IATF-EID RESOLUTION NO. 06, S. 2020

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

WHEREAS, Section 15 of 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, on January 30, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) has considered the 2019-nCoV Acute Respiratory Disease (ARD) as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC);

WHEREAS, on February 11, 2020, the Director-General of the WHO has declared that the 2019-nCoV ARD will now be referred to as the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19);

WHEREAS, as of February 14, 2020, the Philippines through the Department of Health has confirmed three (3) imported cases in the country;

WHEREAS, as of February 17, 2020, there are seventy-one thousand four hundred twenty-nine (71,429) confirmed cases worldwide;

WHEREAS, on January 31, 2020, upon directive of the Office of the President, the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease has resolved to implement a travel ban covering China, Macau Special Administrative Region (SAR), and Hong Kong SAR. On February 11, 2020, travel restrictions were extended to cover Taiwan;

WHEREAS, on February 14, 2020, travel restrictions on Taiwan were lifted through the issuance of Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) Resolution No. 5;

WHEREAS, on February 17, 2020, the IATF Technical Working Group (TWG) convened and prepared recommendations on the granting of exemptions in favor of certain classes of travelers to and from jurisdictions affected by the travel ban;

WHEREAS, on February 17, 2020, the IATF TWG was apprised of a developing situation concerning Filipino crew and passengers onboard the M/V Diamond Princess in Japan. Thereafter, said TWG prepared recommendations for their repatriation, subject to the approval of the IATF.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, as it is hereby resolved, that the IATF approves the following measures to guide the management of the COVID-19 situation:

1. Exemptions shall be granted in favor of the following classes of travelers:

a. All returning Filipinos including their foreign spouse/children, if any, holders of Permanent Resident Visas, and holders of 9 (e) Diplomat Visas traveling from China, Hong Kong SAR, and Macau SAR shall be allowed entry into the Philippines. Provided, that the 14-day quarantine requirement based on existing guidelines by the Department of Health must be strictly observed;

b. Permanent residents of Hong Kong and Macau SARs and Filipinos leaving abroad for study shall be allowed to travel to Hong Kong SAR and Macau SAR; and

c. Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), whether returning or newly-hired, shall be likewise allowed to travel to Hong Kong SAR and Macau SAR upon execution of a Declaration signifying their knowledge and understanding of the risks involved.

2. 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. The Department of Health and the Department of the Interior and Local Government are hereby designated to communicate with and provide guidance to concerned local government units with respect to the designation of the New Clark City as the temporary quarantine facility.

APPROVED at the 6th Inter-Agency Task Force Meeting as reflected in the minutes of the meeting on the 18th of February, 2020, at the Convention Hall, Department of Health, Manila, Philippines.

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

(SGD.) EDUARDO M. AÑOSecretary, Department of the Interior and Local Government

(re Tarlac, provided facilities will be certified (or fit) for public use after this global emergency has been resolved)(SGD.) BERNADETTE FATIMA T. ROMULO-PUYATSecretary, Department of Tourism

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

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

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

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

Signed by representativeSecretary, Department of Information and Communications Technology