The Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) temporarily suspended the shortened testing and quarantine protocol for fully vaccinated individuals identified as close contacts of COVID-19 patients.
IATF and Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque announced on Wednesday (Aug. 11) the temporary suspension as part of the government’s pandemic response, particularly to prevent the spread of COVID-19 variants in the Philippines.
“The Inter-Agency Task Force on Tuesday (Aug. 10) temporarily suspended the protocol that allowed for a shortened quarantine period for fully vaccinated individuals who are close contacts of probable and confirmed COVID-19 cases,” he said.
Roque explained that the testing and quarantine protocols of the fully vaccinated individuals must comply with the Department of Health (DOH) Department Memorandum No. 2020-0512 that says “all close contacts of probable and confirmed cases and travelers shall be placed under a 14-day quarantine period.”
“The DOH memorandum defines close contacts as having exposure during the two days before and the 14 days after the onset of symptoms of the probable or confirmed case through the following: face-to-face contact within one meter and for at least 15 minutes, direct physical contact, direct care for a patient without using personal protective equipment, or other situations as indicated by local risk assessments,” he added.
Moreover, close contacts who develop symptoms or test positive for COVID-19 will be “isolated, admitted, and treated in an appropriate facility.”
The IATF’s Resolution No. 124-B on July 2 initially shortened the quarantine period for fully vaccinated close contacts from 14 days to seven days, provided that they do not develop COVID-19 symptoms.
Report from Mela Lesmoras/OPS/NGS- jlo
