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

April 20, 2020

IATF-EID RESOLUTION NO. 026, S. 2020

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

WHEREAS, on March 8, 2020, recognizing that the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic requires the mobilization of a whole-of-government response, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte declared a State of Public Health Emergency in the entire Philippines through Proclamation No. 922;

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 12, 2020;

WHEREAS, to mitigate and contain the transmission of COVID-19, and to mobilize the provision of basic necessities to sectors adversely affected by the Enhanced Community Quarantine, Congress enacted Republic Act No. 11469, or the "Bayanihan to Heal as One Act";

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, as of April 19, 2020, there are six thousand two hundred fifty-nine (6,259) confirmed COVID-19 cases in the Philippines.

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

All arriving Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), whether land-based or sea-based, shall be required to undergo a mandatory fourteen-day facility-based quarantine, and shall be subject to rapid antibody testing for COVID-19 in accordance with Department Memorandum 2020-0180 issued by the Department of Health.

Provided, that sea-based OFWs onboard cruise ships who have been issued with a Clean Bill of Health by the Bureau of Quarantine, upon presentation of a certificate of completion of 14-day quarantine issued at the point of origin immediately before departure, shall nevertheless be subjected to a rapid antibody testing and shall be managed in accordance with the aforementioned Department Memorandum.

APPROVED during the 26th Inter-Agency Task Force Meeting, as reflected in the minutes of the meeting, held this 20th of April, 2020 via video conference.

FRANCISCO T. DUQUE IIISecretary, Department of HealthIATF Chairperson

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

ATTACHMENT

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )

City of Manila ) S.S

SECRETARY'S CERTIFICATE

I, KENNETH G. RONQUILLO, MD, MPHM, of legal age, Filipino, with office address at San Lazaro Compound, Tayuman, Sta. Cruz, Manila, after having been sworn in accordance with law, hereby depose and say as follows:

1) That I am the duly appointed Head Secretariat of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases in the Philippines hereinafter referred to as the "IATF," an entity duly organized and existing and by virtue of the laws of the Republic of the Philippines, with principal office and place of business at San Lazaro Compound, Tayuman, Sta. Cruz, Manila;

2) That I am the custodian of the books and records of the IATF, including the Minutes and Resolutions;

3) That at the Regular Meeting of the IATF held on 20 April 2020, during which a quorum was present and acted throughout, the following resolution was unanimously approved:

IATF Resolution No. 26

4) That the foregoing resolution has not been altered, modified, nor revoked; and that the same is now in full force and in effect; and

5) That I am executing this Certificate for whatever legitimate purpose it may serve.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto affixed my signature this 20th day of April 2020 at San Lazaro Compound, Tayuman, Sta. Cruz, Manila.

KENNETH G. RONQUILLO, MD, MPHMIATF HEAD SECRETARIAT

Subscribed and sworn to before me this ____ day of ________ at _____________, affiant exhibiting to me his competent proof of identification issued on ________________ in _______________ and his Passport/Driver License No. _________________, which will expire on _________________________.

Doc. No. __________;

Page No. __________;

Book No. __________;

Series of __________.

NOTARY PUBLIC