IATF sets parameters for possible extension, lifting of Luzon-wide quarantine

MANILA, Philippines — The Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for Infectious Diseases on Saturday announced the parameters on deciding the possible extension, as well as the partial or total lifting of the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine imposed due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) crisis.

In a press briefing, IATF spokesman and Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said that the following parameters have been approved by the task force’s sub-technical working group on Data Analytics:

• Trends in the COVID-19 epidemiological curve, which include, among others, the doubling time, acceleration, or deceleration of new cases;
• Capacity of the health care system, which includes, among others, the number and availability of quarantine, isolation, and treatment facilities; the capability to mount contact tracing; availability of Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) to frontliners, and the testing capacity of the country;
• Social factors;
• Economic factors; and
• Security factors.

“For this purpose, the Department of Health (DOH) is hereby directed to convene all concerned agencies and to finalize the aggregation and analysis of all relevant data applicable to the contained area, subject to the deliberation of the IATF and final determination by the President.” Nograles said.

“Provided, that the same sub-technical working group is likewise directed to apply said parameters and come up with recommendations with regard to the possible implementation of a general or enhanced community quarantine in localities in the Visayas and Mindanao,” he added.

The enhanced community quarantine was imposed on Luzon island on March 17 as the country faces the COVID-19 crisis.

The scheduled lifting of the enhanced community quarantine is set on April 13.

As of Saturday, the Department of Health reported 3,094 cases of the viral disease, of which 57 recovered while 144 succumbed to the disease.