President Rodrigo Roa Duterte approved the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) recommendation to place the National Capital Region (NCR) under general community quarantine (GCQ) with heightened restrictions from July 23 to 31.
The same IATF rules would be observed as when NCR was previously under GCQ with heightened restrictions.
Also placed under GCQ with heightened restrictions are Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur, which were previously under modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) until the end of July.
From modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ), Davao de Oro and Davao del Norte have been placed under GCQ with heightened restrictions from July 23 to 31.
As these areas will be placed under GCQ with heightened restrictions, children five years old and above will not be allowed to go to outdoor areas, as provided for under IATF Resolution No. 125 (s.2021).
Davao del Sur, which was previously under MECQ, is placed under GCQ from July 23 to 31.
Meanwhile, all incoming international travelers at all ports of entry must strictly comply with testing and quarantine protocols approved by the IATF. This is to further prevent the introduction of variants of concern into the country.
In this connection, the Bureau of Quarantine must identify who the close contacts in the plane/vessel of the confirmed case are and closely monitor them. Infection prevention and control protocols must likewise be strictly followed in all quarantine and isolation facilities.
Also, local government units’ (LGUs) handover must include clear transportation arrangements and quarantine accommodation. Further, LGUs must closely monitor for the appearance of any signs or symptoms while arrivals are completing their quarantine and immediately conduct RT-PCR testing after detection of symptoms. In addition, health assessment must be done for all arrivals at the end of isolation or quarantine period.
The IATF, on its 128th meeting, also approved the continuous and strengthened implementation of the Prevent-Detect-Isolate-Treat-Reintegrate (PDITR) strategy.
The PDITR strategy includes active case finding, intensified contact tracing, immediate quarantine/isolation which should preferably be in a facility, declaration of localized enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) down to the zone or barangay levels, stricter implementation and observance of minimum public health standards, and fast-tracked deployment of COVID-19 vaccines.
To enable the safe continuity of economic activities, the IATF asked establishments to consider developing and converting more outdoor spaces into temporary outdoor weekend markets and dining spaces and permanently accessible urban green spaces, outdoor recreational spaces and public sanitation facilities.
Finally, the IATF allowed foreign spouses, parent/s, and/or children of Filipino citizens with valid 9(a) visas to enter the Philippines without the need of an entry exemption document beginning August 1. (OPS) – jlo
