14/03/2020
STATEMENT OF THE DILG
Usec. Jonathan Malaya
Official Spokesperson
In last night’s 11th meeting of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases, the President approved the recommendations of the Department of Health following their decision to raise the Code Alert System for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the country to Code Red Sublevel 2 and the declaration by the WHO of a global pandemic.
Following a lengthy discussion with health officials, as well as with members of the Task Force, the President has decided to approve the imposition of Stringent Social Distancing Measures in the National Capital Region (NCR) for thirty (30) days, with the salient directives discussed below.
First, the suspension of classes in all levels in Metro Manila is extended until April 12, 2020, with students remaining in their respective homes for the said duration. The DILG has directed the PNP and the Barangays to continue keeping students out of malls, cinemas and other crowded places.
Second, mass gatherings, defined as events where the number of people attending could strain the planning and response resources of the community hosting the event, shall be prohibited across the country during the aforesaid period.
Third, community quarantine is imposed in the entire Metro Manila.
Local Government Units (LGUs) outside the metro are advised to abide by the following guidelines:
• A barangay-wide quarantine is advised when there at least two (2) positive COVID-19 cases belonging to different households in the same barangay;
• A municipality/city-wide quarantine is advised when there at least two (2) positive COVID-19 cases belonging to different barangays in the same municipality/city;
• A province-wide quarantine is advised when there at least two (2) positive COVID-19 cases belonging to different municipalities, component cities or independent component cities in the same province; and
• LGUs, which have imposed community quarantine in their respective jurisdiction\s, upon the declaration of a State of Calamity, shall be allowed to access their Quick Response Fund.
LGUs must coordinate with the DILG and DOH prior to the imposition of the said quarantine.
Fourth, work in the Executive Branch including LGUs, GOCCs and SUCs shall be suspended during the same period, without prejudice to the formation of skeletal workforces by government agencies to ensure continued delivery of basic services. The Congress and the Judiciary are encouraged to adopt the same policy. Law enforcement agencies, including the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police, as well as health and emergency frontline services shall continue in full operation.
Fifth, flexible work arrangements shall likewise be encouraged in the private sector, following guidelines from the Department of Labor and Employment and the Department of Trade and Industry designed to safeguard the welfare of the workers. All manufacturing, retail and service establishments shall remain in operation during the same period, provided that strict social distancing measures are observed.
Sixth, mass public transports, such as the Light Rail Transits, the Metro Rail Transits, and the Philippine National Railway shall continue in operation, following guidelines by the Department of Transportation intended to ensure social distancing.
Seventh, land, domestic air, and domestic sea travel to and from Metro Manila shall be suspended beginning March 15, 2020 00:00H until April 14, 2020 23:59H. Those living outside Metro Manila but work in the metropolis and vice versa shall be allowed in and out provided they show a valid company ID at the checkpoints to be set up by the PNP.
The flow of goods and food stuff to and fro Metro Manila will not be impeded.
All the aforementioned measures shall be subject to daily monitoring and review by the IATF.
In addition, LGUs outside of the National Capital Region are advised to exercise sound discretion in suspending classes in their respective localities.
The President likewise approved that Balik-Manggagawa Overseas Filipino Workers may be allowed to travel to mainland China, except to Hubei Province, upon their ex*****on of a declaration signifying their knowledge and understanding of the risks involved in their travel. A health advisory pamphlet shall similarly be handed to them upon their departure.
Finally, entry travel restrictions shall be imposed upon those traveling from countries with localized COVID-19 transmissions, except for Filipino citizens including their foreign spouse and children, if any, holders of permanent resident visa, and holders of diplomatic visas issued by the Philippine Government. Therefore, Filipino citizens holding dual citizenship will be allowed entry provided they hold PH passports. Foreigners from countries with confirmed localized transmission will not be allowed entry into the country.
If coming in through NAIA, they shall remain in Metro Manila until the domestic travel ban is lifted if ultimate destination is the provinces. If flying in through Clark, Cebu and other airports not under quarantine, they can proceed to their ultimate destination except Metro Manila.
To be clear, and to allay the fears and apprehension of the public, the government is essentially calling for a stricter implementation of preventive measures in order to slow down and put a halt to the further spread of COVID-19. The WHO has informed the PH government that if no drastic measures are implemented, the PH potentially could have 75,000 positive cases because the virus spreads exponentially.
While a total lockdown is considered by some as a valid preventive measure, current circumstances do not warrant such an extreme course of action.
The Office of the President will still issue guidelines to thresh out the details of the Presidential directive hopefully by tomorrow but these are the salient features of the measures he has approved.
Let us continue praying for our country and the world 🙏🙏🙏 Malalampasan din natin ito if we all cooperate and follow the measures recommended by DOH and WHO.
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