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

April 27, 2020

IATF-EID RESOLUTION NO. 029, S. 2020

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

WHEREAS, on March 16, 2020, to prevent the sharp rise of COVID-19 cases in the country, the President placed the entirety of Luzon under Enhanced Community Quarantine until April 14, 2020;

WHEREAS, on March 30, 2020, to develop a science-based approach in determining whether the Enhanced Community Quarantine in Luzon should be totally or partially lifted, extended, or expanded to other areas, the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) convened a sub-Technical Working Group tasked to define parameters in assessing recent developments in the Philippine COVID-19 situation;

WHEREAS, on April 3, 2020, the IATF finalized the parameters for deciding on the lifting or extension of the Enhanced Community Quarantine in Luzon, which include trends on the COVID-19 epidemiological curve, the health capacity of the country, social factors, economic factors, and security factors;

WHEREAS, on April 7, 2020, upon the recommendation of the IATF, the President extended the implementation of the Enhanced Community Quarantine over the entirety of Luzon until April 30, 2020;

WHEREAS, on April 21, 2020, the IATF and public health experts met with the President to discuss options with regard to the implementation of the Enhanced Community Quarantine in Luzon after April 30, 2020. The President thereafter directed the IATF to finalize and submit recommendations on or before April 23, 2020;

WHEREAS, on April 23, 2020, during the 28th IATF meeting, the IATF has resolved to recommend to the President the extension of the Enhanced Community Quarantine in certain high-risk administrative regions, provinces or areas until May 15, 2020;

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

A. The National Task Force COVID-19 and the Sub-Task Group for the Repatriation of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) are directed to explore the utilization of Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) tests for OFWs returning from high-risk jurisdictions;

B. Beginning 16 May 2020, all decisions to impose, lift, or extend community quarantine in provinces, highly-urbanized cities (HUCs), and independent component cities (ICCs) shall rest with the IATF. This notwithstanding, provincial governors shall be authorized to impose enhanced community quarantine in component cities, municipalities, and barangays upon the concurrence of their respective regional inter-agency task groups. Chief executives of HUCs and ICCs are likewise authorized to impose enhanced community quarantine in barangays upon the concurrence of their respective regional inter-agency task groups. No LGU shall declare their own community quarantine regardless of nomenclature without observing the foregoing procedure;

C. After validation by the IATF Sub-TWG on Data Analytics with updated case numbers and health systems capacity data, the comprehensive list administrative regions, of provinces or areas, under Enhanced or General Community Quarantine starting May 1, 2020 to May 15, 2020 shall be as follows:

1. Under Enhanced Community Quarantine:

a. National Capital Region (NCR);

b. Region III (Central Luzon), except the Province of Aurora;

c. Region IV-A (CALABARZON);

d. The Province of Pangasinan;

e. The Province of Benguet;

f. Baguio City;

g. The Province of Iloilo;

h. The Province of Cebu;

i. Cebu City; and

j. Davao City.

2. Under General Community Quarantine, provided that as a precondition, minimum health standards are achieved and continuously observed, all other low-risk and moderate-risk areas in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

General community quarantine in low-risk areas may be lifted after May 15, 2020 should no deterioration in their risk level occur.

Inconsistent provisions under Paragraphs (A) and (B) of IATF Resolution No. 28, series of 2020, are modified accordingly.

D. The Department of Tourism is hereby authorized to undertake the necessary measures to charter and fund sweeper flights for stranded domestic tourists from other regions to the National Capital Region; and

E. Beginning 04 May 2020, Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) shall be authorized to operate with a skeletal workforce in areas not under Enhanced Community Quarantine, only for the purposes of finishing the Academic Year 2019-2020, to issue credentials to students, and to prepare for flexible learning arrangements for the next Academic Year.

APPROVED during the 29th Inter-Agency Task Force Meeting, as reflected in the minutes of the meeting, held this 27th of April, 2020 via video conference.

(SGD.) FRANCISCO T. DUQUE IIISecretary, Department of HealthIATF Chairperson

(SGD.) KARLO ALEXEI B. NOGRALESCabinet Secretary, Office of the Cabinet SecretaryIATF Co-Chairperson

ATTACHMENT

Certification

This is to certify that:

1. I am presently an Assistant Secretary of the Department of Health;

2. I am the designated Head of the Secretariat of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases created under Executive Order No. 168, series of 2014 and chaired by the Department of Health (DOH);

3. The IATF Secretariat holds office in the DOH Main Office, San Lazaro Compound, Tayuman, Sta. Cruz, Manila;

4. I am the custodian of the records of the IATF, including the Minutes of Meetings and Resolutions;

5. In the Regular Meeting of the IATF held on April 27, 2020 via teleconference during which a quorum was present and acted throughout, IATF Resolution No. 29 was unanimously approved and adopted;

6. The foregoing resolution has been signed by Secretary Francisco T. Duque III and Cabinet Secretary Karlo Alexei B. Nograles upon authority of the IATF Members;

7. The aforesaid resolution not been altered, modified nor revoked and the same is now in full force and effect;

8. I am executing this Certification for whatever legitimate purpose this may serve.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto affixed my signature this 28th day of April 2020, Manila.

(SGD.) KENNETH G. RONQUILLO, MD, MPHMAssistant Secretary, Department of Health