Control Measures

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PHILIPPINES: IATF Imposes Additional Quarantine Measures and Restrictions Amidst the Rising Cases of COVID-19

The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) issued various resolutions to address the recent rise in the number of COVID-19 cases in the Philippines. These include a resolution placing the National Capital Region, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal under Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) until April 11, 2021.

PHILIPPINES: Bureau of Immigration Updates International Travel Guidelines

Effective 1 March 2021, all foreign nationals who are issued visas (except holders of 9(a) visas and Emigration Clearance Certificates issued by the Bureau of Immigration (“BI”) are required to secure a Travel Pass from the same agency which issued their visas (i.e. BI, Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA)).  Each agency under BI is directed to formulate their own guidelines and procedure in issuing the Travel Pass for departing foreign nationals.

PHILIPPINES: Emergency Use Authorization for COVID-19 Drugs and Vaccines

On 1 December  2020, President Rodrigo R. Duterte issued Executive Order No. 121 which authorizes the Director-General of the Food and Drugs Administration to issue an Emergency Use Authorization (“EUA”) for COVID-19 drugs and vaccines. The EUA is meant to strengthen the Philippine’s response against COVID-19, similar to other countries and the World Health Organization which have recognized the practice of issuing EUAs in order to fast-track the availability of COVID-19 drugs and vaccines when supported by strong evidence that patients have benefited from them.

PHILIPPINES: Philippines Eases Stay-at-Home and Travel Restrictions

On 15 October 2020, the Philippines’ Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases ("IATF") issued Resolution No. 79 amending the Omnibus Guidelines on the Implementation of Community Quarantine in the Philippines ("Omnibus Guidelines"). 

The key changes brought about by the amendments in the Omnibus Guidelines include adjusting the age-based stay-at-home restrictions whereby only persons under fifteen (15) years of age and those over sixty-five (65) years shall remain inside their residences at all times, subject to some exceptions. In addition, interzonal and intrazonal movement of persons not authorised outside of residences between or across areas (i) placed under General Community Quarantine and Modified General Community Quarantine ("MGCQ") and (ii) placed under MGCQ and areas not placed under any form of community quarantine, shall now be allowed subject to reasonable regulations imposed by the local government units ("LGUs") concerned. 

Effective 21 October 2020, non-essential outbound travel of Filipinos shall be allowed, provided certain requirements are fulfilled.

PHILIPPINES: Updates on the Omnibus Guidelines on Community Quarantine in the Philippines

On 22 March 2020, the Philippines closed its borders to control the COVID-19 pandemic. The Department of Foreign Affairs restricted the entry of foreign nationals and suspended visa-free privileges and the issuance of entry visas. Recently, the Philippines has opened up its economy and eased its movement restrictions. Following this direction, on 16 July 2020, the Inter-Agency Task Force (“IATF”) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases issued Resolution No. 56 allowing the entry of foreigners starting 1 August 2020 subject to some conditions.

In another development, the IATF on 14 July 2020 issued Resolution No. 55-A reclassifying community quarantine status of different areas of the country until 31 July 2020.

PHILIPPINES: Makati City Government issues General Community Quarantine Guidelines

On 29 May 2020, Makati City Mayor Mar-Len Abigail S. Binay issued Executive Order No. 11, which approved the 2020 General Community Quarantine Guidelines for the City of Makati effective 1 June 2020. While Makati City is also covered by the Inter-Agency Task Force ("IATF") Omnibus Guidelines on the Implementation of Community Quarantine in the Philippines, the Makati City Government is empowered to issue localised guidelines for its territorial jurisdiction.

PHILIPPINES: The Omnibus Guidelines on Community Quarantine in the Philippines

On 22 May 2020, the Inter-Agency Task Force ("IATF") for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases issued Resolution No. 38 which further revised and clarified the Omnibus Guidelines on the Implementation of the Community Quarantine in the Philippines that was issued on 15  May 2020.  Key modifications were made with respect to industries allowed to operate within a particular community quarantine area, interzonal movement of persons, and grace period for the payment of loans, among others.  On 27 May 2020, the IATF adopted a reclassification of the community quarantine for certain areas beginning 1 June 2020.

PHILIPPINES: The Revised Omnibus Guidelines on Community Quarantine in the Philippines

After the implementation of an Enhanced Community Quarantine ("ECQ") for two months in Luzon and other high-risk areas, the Philippine Government has gradually started easing restrictions and has begun transitioning to the "new normal".  On 30 April 2020, the Philippines President issued Executive Order No. 112), which adopted the Inter-Agency Task Force ("IATF") for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases Resolution No. 30 or the Omnibus Guidelines on the Implementation of Community Quarantine in the Philippines ("Omnibus Guidelines") and granted the IATF the authority to modify the Omnibus Guidelines without need of further approval of the President.  On 15 May 2020, the IATF issued the Revised Omnibus Guidelines on the Implementation of Community Quarantine in the Philippines.

PHILIPPINES: DFA, BI Suspend Transactions Due to Enhanced Community Quarantine

In view of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), the Department of Foreign Affairs ("DFA") and the Bureau of Immigration ("BI") imposed a suspension on certain visa-related transactions.

PHILIPPINES: Imposition of Price Freeze and Enumeration of Establishments Allowed to Operate during the Period of Enhanced Community Quarantine

The Department of Trade and Industry issued various circulars in line with the Philippine government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. These circulars address various measures taken by the government including the imposition of price freeze or price control, measures against panic buying and hoarding, and granting of grace period for rent due on residential and commercial leases. The circulars also address the movement of cargo and transit of personnel of business establishments allowed to operate during the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) declared under the Memorandum issued by the Executive Secretary on 16 March 2020.

PHILIPPINES: Philippine Legislature Grants the President Temporary Emergency Powers to Combat COVID-19 Outbreak

On 8 March 2020, the President of the Philippines declared a State of Public Health Emergency throughout the Philippines due to COVID-19. Following the continued rise of COVID-19 cases, the President, on 16 March 2020, declared a State of Calamity throughout the Philippines and imposed an Enhance Community Quarantine (“ECQ”) throughout Luzon from 17 March 2020 until 12 April 2020, which was subsequently extended until 30 April 2020.

The imposition of the ECQ resulted in the suspension of all classes, prohibition of mass gatherings, observance of strict home quarantine in all households with the exception of accessing basic necessities, closure of private establishments except those providing basic necessities, and suspension of mass public transport, among others.