IATF, inaprubahan ang amended guidelines para sa Alert Level 1

INAPRUBAHAN ng  Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF), araw ng Linggo, Pebrero  27, 2022, ang inamiyendahang guidelines sa Nationwide Implementation ng Alert Level System for COVID-19 Response.

Ilan sa mga  protocols na kailangang i-observe sa ilalim ng Alert Level 1 ay:

“Well-fitted face masks shall be worn properly at all times, whether outdoors or in indoor private or public establishments, including in public transportation by land, air or sea, except when eating and drinking, participating in team and individual sports in venues where ventilation standards can be maintained, and practicing outdoor sports/exercise activities where physical distance can be maintained.” ayon kay acting Presidential spokesperson Karlo Nograles.

Ang lahat ng private offices at  workplaces, kabilang na ang public at private construction sites, ay maaaring mag- operate ng 100% capacity, consistent sa national issuances pagdating sa vaccination requirements para sa mga on-site work.

Gayunman, maaaring ipagpatuloy ng mga Ito na mag- provide ng flexible at alternative work arrangements “as deemed appropriate based on function or individual risk.”

Ang mga agencies at instrumentalities ng pamahalaan ay kailangan na sumunod sa 100% on-site workforce.

Ang mga Off-site work ay kailangan na nasa ilalim ng work arrangements “subject to relevant rules and regulations” na ipinalabas ng  Civil Service Commission at Office of the President.

Sa kabilang dako, ang  public transportation sa mga lugar na nasa ilalim ng  Alert Level 1 ay kailangan na nasa “full seating capacity.”

Para naman sa  intrazonal at interzonal travels na may kinalaman sa  public land transportation sa pagitan ng  “an area with a higher alert level classification and an area under Alert Level 1, the passenger capacity shall be that which has the lower passenger capacity rate between the point of origin and point of destination. For aviation, maritime and rail public transport operating in and out of Alert Levels 1 areas, the passenger capacity will be at 100%. The use of acrylic and/or plastic dividers in public transportation shall not be required. The use of the Safe, Swift and Smart Passage (S-PaSS) travel management system shall likewise not be required for interzonal travel to areas under Alert Level 1.”

Hinggil naman sa contact tracing, ang paggamit ng  health declaration forms / paper-based contact tracing ay hindi dapat na irequire para sa lahat ng  agencies at establishments sa ilalim ng  Alert Level 1.

Sa kabilang dako, ang paggamit ng  digital contact tracing gaya ng  StaySafe.PH application ay optional para sa lahat ng mga ahensiya at establisimyento..

Hinggil naman sa  testing prioritization, ang testing protocols ay kailangan na maipatupad, , consistent sa national guidelines, para sa mga inbiduwal  na hindi mga bakunado o mayroong mataas na  exposure risk alinsunod sa IATF Resolution No. 148-B at No. 149, s. 2021.

” Addition, testing using RT-PCR shall be recommended and prioritized for: Priority Groups A2 (persons above 60 years old) and A3 (persons with comorbidities) and Priority Group A1 or healthcare workers. Testing shall be optional for other groups not stated above. It shall not be recommended for asymptomatic close contacts unless symptoms will develop, and should immediately isolate regardless of test results. Instead, symptom monitoring is recommended. Should testing still be used, testing should be done at least 5 days from the day of last exposure.  Testing shall also not be recommended for screening asymptomatic individuals. Meanwhile, testing using antigen tests shall be recommended only for symptomatic individuals and in instances wherein RT-PCR is not available, consistent with previously issued guidelines.

Ang  Hospital Infection Prevention and Control Committees (HIPCC) ay maaaring magpatupad ng testing protocols sa mga  health facilities, health workers at pasyente base sa kanilang   assessment ng ” risk and benefit.”

Ukol naman sa  isolation at quarantine, ang updated quarantine protocols para sa incoming international travelers “shall be consistent with IATF Resolution No. 160 A/B, and updated isolation and quarantine protocols for general public & healthcare workers and authorized sectors shall be consistent with DOH Dept Memo No. 2022-0013.”

Sa ilalim ng Alert Level 1, ang mga establisimyento ay hindi na required na magtayo ng  isolation facilities sa loob ng workplace.

Hinggil naman sa ” treatment, close contacts, asymptomatic confirmed cases at mild to moderate confirmed cases ay puwede ng i-managed sa primary care level, gaya ng health centers, private clinics sa pamamagitan ng face to face o teleconsultation, habang ang confirmed cases na nay severe at critical symptoms ay dapat na i-manage sa appropriate health care facility.

“In the case of reintegration, isolation can be discontinued upon completion of the recommended isolation period, provided that they do not have fever for at least 24 hours without the use of any antipyretic medications, and shall have improvement of respiratory signs and symptoms,” ayon kay Nograles.

“For the purpose of claiming sick leave, health benefits or other relevant processes wherein the proofs of COVID-19 management are necessary, a medical certification may suffice provided it should include the following minimum information: name of patient, severity of symptoms, diagnosis as probable or confirmed COVID-19, and date of end of quarantine and/or isolation period,” dagdag na pahayag nito.

Samantala, ang mga indibidwal na 18 taong gulang at pataas ay  required na magpakita ng  proof of full vaccination bago magpartisipa sa  mass gatherings o makapasok sa  indoor establishments, gaya ng subalit hindi naman limitado:

1. In-person religious gatherings; gatherings for necrological services, wakes, inurnment and funerals for those who died of causes other than COVID-19 and for the cremains of the COVID-19 deceased;
2. All indoor dine-in services of food preparation establishments such as kiosks, commissaries, restaurants and eateries. For outdoor or al fresco dining and take out channels, no proof of full vaccination is required;
3. All indoor personal care establishments such as barbershops, hair spas, hair salons, and nail spas, and those offering aesthetic/cosmetic services or procedures, make-up services, salons, spas, reflexology and other similar procedures including home service options;
4. Fitness studios, gyms and venues for exercise and sports;
5. All indoor cinemas or movie houses operating at full capacity;
6. Meetings, incentives, conferences, exhibition events and permitted venues for social events such as parties, wedding receptions, engagement parties, wedding anniversaries, debut and birthday parties, family reunions, and bridal or baby showers ;
7. Venues with live voice or wind-instrument performers and audiences such as in karaoke bars, clubs, concert halls and theaters;
8. Indoor ancillary establishments in hotels and other accommodation establishments; and
9. Venues for election-related events.

Ang Proof of full vaccination ay  required bago makapasok sa ” list of establishments” na  identified sa ilalim ng  “principles of 3C’s strategy” laban sa COVID-19.

Ang mga kabataan na may edad na 17 at pababa ay hindi na required na magpakita ng proof of vaccination status. (Daris Jose)