Updates from the June 4, 2020 IATF-EID Briefing
1. PROVISIONS OF IATF-EID RESOLUTION NO. 43
• Approval of IATF recommendations to change the definition of hotels. Such establishments will be allowed to operate primarily for accommodation purposes.
• Additional guidelines for MGCQ areas:
- People who must remain in their residences at all times include: individuals below 21 yo and 60 yo and above; those who are immunocompromised, have comorbidities, and other health risks; and pregnant women.
- Exceptions to APORs still apply.
- 50\% seating capacity is allowed in religious services and work conferences.
• In DOTr's new protocols for aviation, universal and mandatory safety measures shall be implemented in all airport facilities and while onboard the aircraft.
2. TASK FORCE T3 UPDATES AS OF JUNE 3, 2020
• 41,990 testing capacity of laboratories in the country
• 52 accredited laboratories (33 public and 19 private)
• 20 lab machines from private sector
• Eight (8) modulars labs from Unilab
• Five (5) modular testing labs from Qualimed Ayala
• Expansion of Southern Philippines Medical Center with 2,500 testing capacity per day
• Additional five accredited laboratories in Region 11
• General Santos City to have a new testing laboratory
• Expanded testing especially in densely populated areas such as NCR, Central Luzon, CALABARZON, Cebu, Davao, and other big cities
• Expanded targeted testing for asymptomatic frontliners, not only medical but also all other frontliners with potential COVID exposure
• Starting June, target testing capacity will be 50,000 per day.
3. TRANSPORTATION UPDATES
• Jeepney drivers to be provided with assistance due to their restricted operations under quarantine period.
• With regard to the back riding policy and use of sidecars, LGUs must not allow back riding.
• Sidecars on national highways are allowed.
• Backride for couples still not allowed.
• Additional buses shall operate in Metro Manila starting Friday, 4 June 2020.
• The DOTr shall also open three additional routes in the metro as part of the gradual and calibrated approach of the agency in allowing transportation during the quarantine period.
4. MINDANAO UPDATES
• Infrastructure projects will still push through in Mindanao. There will be continued construction of the Mindanao railway and the Davao-Samal bridge.
• 50\% reopening of local tourism sites in Mindanao for areas under MGCQ.
5. TESTING CAPACITY / NEW TESTING PROTOCOLS FOR OFWs
• The DBM will purchase additional test kits from abroad to increase supply in the country.
• OFWs to be sent directly to their LGUs to lessen the quarantine period that they need to undergo once testing capacity in provinces has been increased.
• With increased arrivals of OFWs and OFs, swab tests and mandatory quarantine can already be conducted in their respective LGUs.
• More international gateways will be opened for the decentralized arrival of OFWs starting 4 June 2020.
• Manning agencies can contract own laboratories for testing of OFWs.
• OFs can be tested in labs especially in private labs.
• Currently, there are 100 pending labs to be accredited in the coming months.
6. COMPENSATION BENEFITS FOR HEALTH WORKERS
• PRRD directed that Tuesday (8 June 2020) is the deadline for all concerned offices to provide compensation benefits to health workers infected by COVID-19 while in duty and to the families of deceased health workers who died because of COVID-19.