IMPLEMENTING GUIDELINES ON ALERT LEVEL 2 IN THE PROVINCE OF PANGASINAN

WHEREAS, Section 15, Article II of the 1987 Philippine Constitution and Section 16 of Republic Act No. 7160 otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991 provide that Local Government Units within their territorial jurisdiction shall promote health and safety of the people;

WHEREAS, due to the nationwide spread of Corona Virus Disease 2019 (Covid-19), the Philippines is declared to be under State of Public Health Emergency and State of Calamity by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte;

WHEREAS, the Guidelines for the Pilot Implementation of Alert Levels System in the National Capital Region was adopted by the IATF and was published on September 13, 2021, and was expanded to include other provinces, HUCCs and ICCs pursuant to IATF-EID Resolution No. 144-D (s. 2021) issued on October 18, 2021;

WHEREAS, on further expansion of the Alert Level System in IATF-EID Resolution No. 148-F (s. 2021) issued November 13, 2021, the Province of Pangasinan was placed under Alert Level 2;

WHEREAS, there is a need to promulgate guidelines for the implementation of the Alert Levels System consistent with the Guidelines on the Nationwide Implementation of Alert Levels System for Covid-19 Response (Alert Levels System Guidelines) issued by the IATF-EID;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, AMADO I. ESPINO III, Governor of the Province of Pangasinan, through the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order the following:

Part I – GENERAL GUIDELINES

SECTION 1. MINIMUM PUBLIC HEALTH STANDARDS. MPHS, or mitigation measures for Covid-19 response consistent with DOH Administrative Order No. 2021-0043, shall be implemented at all times. Such measures include, but are not limited to, wearing appropriate personal protective equipment, maintaining physical distancing, installation of hygiene stations, and ventilation for enclosed areas. Violations thereof are subject to prosecution under pertinent Provincial and local ordinances.

SECTION 2. USE OF FACESHIELDS. Pursuant to the recommendation of the IATF-EID in its Resolution No. 148-D (s. 2021), and the Memorandum from the Office of the Executive Secretary dated November 15, 2021, the use of face shields in areas under Alert Levels 1, 2 and 3 shall now be voluntary.

However, the said protocol shall be without prejudice to the continuing mandatory use of face shields in medical and quarantine facility settings and the required use thereof by healthcare workers in healthcare settings.

SECTION 3. INTERZONAL AND INTRAZONAL MOVEMENT.

A. Interzonal and intrazonal movement shall be allowed subject to reasonable restrictions imposed by LGUs, which should be subject to the oversight, monitoring, and evaluation of the respective Regional IATF. (Part I, Sec. 5.1, Alert Levels System Guidelines)

B. Such reasonable restrictions may not be stricter than stay-at-home restrictions to those below eighteen years old and above sixty-five years of age, those with immunodeficiencies, comorbidities or other health risks, and pregnant women. In any case, the following shall be allowed:

i. Obtaining essential goods and services and for work in permitted industries; and

ii. To fully vaccinated individuals and those below eighteen years of age, for specialized markets of Department of Tourism such as point-to-point travel subject to reasonable local restrictions, and Staycation, and individual outdoor exercises.

SECTION 4. TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS AT BORDERS.

A. S-PASS permits shall no longer be required to be presented at the border checkpoints. The LGU of destination may, however, impose reasonable restrictions upon travelers originating from areas of higher quarantine classifications.

B. Presentation of valid IDs shall be required at the border checkpoints. Those coming from areas under Granular Lockdown, Alert Level 5, ECQ, and MECQ shall be prevented from entry to Pangasinan except for APORs carrying valid authority to travel and/or travel order.

C. Travelers may still be required to undergo health and exposure screening at the border checkpoints.

D. Should any testing be required by the destination LGU, a valid Covid-19 vaccination card shall serve as sufficient alternative.

E. All tourists are still encouraged to register with Pangasinan Tara Na at https://pangasinan.tarana.ph/.

SECTION 5. OPERATING CAPACITIES OF ESTABLISHMENTS.

A. Based on Part I, Sec. 5.3 of the Alert Levels System Guidelines, the following establishments or activities shall be allowed at a maximum of 50% indoor venue capacity for fully vaccinated individuals and those below 18 years of age, even if unvaccinated, and 70% outdoor venue capacity, provided that all workers/employees of these establishments are fully vaccinated against Covid-19, MPHS are strictly maintained, and there are no objections from respective LGUs:

i. Venues for meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE);

ii. 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;

iii. Visitor or tourist attractions such as libraries, archives, museums, galleries, exhibits, parks, plazas, public gardens, scenic viewpoints or overlooks, and the like;

iv. Amusement parks or theme parks;

v. Recreational venues such as internet cafes, billiard halls, amusement arcades, bowling alleys, skating rinks, archery halls, swimming pools, and similar venues;

vi. Cinemas and movie houses;

vii. Limited face-to-face or in-person classes for basic education subject to prior approval of the Office of the President;

viii. Limited face-to-face or in-person classes for higher education and for technical-vocational education and training;

ix. 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;

x. Licensure or entrance/qualifying examinations administered by their respective government agency, and specialty examinations authorized by the IATF-EID subject to the health and safety guidelines as approved by the IATF-EID;

xi. Dine-in services of food preparation establishments such as kiosks, commissaries, restaurants, and eateries, subject to DTI sector-specific protocols;

xii. 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, subject to the sector-specific protocols of the DTI;

xiii. Fitness studios, gyms, and venues for individual non-contact exercise and sports, subject to DTI sector-specific protocols. Provided that patrons/clients and workers/employees wear face masks at all times and that subject to DTI sector-specific protocols;

xiv. Film, music, and television production subject to the joint guidelines as may be issued by the DTI, DOLE, and the DOH;

xv. Contact sports approved by the LGU where such games shall be held;

xvi. Funfairs/peryas or kid amusement industries such as playgrounds, playroom, and kiddie rides;

xvii. Venues with live voice or wind-instrument performers and audiences such as in karaoke bars, clubs, concert halls, and theaters; and

xviii. Gatherings in residences with individuals not belonging to the same household.

B. An additional 20% capacity per establishment shall be allowed if located in a municipality or city with vaccination coverage for Priority Group A2 and A3 has reached at least 70% as may be determined by the IATF-EID. (Part I, Sec. 1.6.a, Alert Levels System Guidelines)

C. An additional 10% capacity shall be allowed for establishments that were awarded by Safety Seal Certificates by the DILG under the Safety Seal Certification Program. (Part I, Sec. 1.6.b, Alert Levels System Guidelines)

D. Only hotels or accommodation establishments with valid Department of Tourism Accreditation shall be allowed to accommodate guests and clients subject to guidelines issued by the Department of Tourism and the IATF-EID. On-site capacity of accommodation establishments and their ancillary establishments shall be subject to DOT Admin. Order No. 2021-004.

E. The following establishments shall not be allowed to operate (except if authorized to operate by the IATF-EID or duly constituted authorities): casinos, horse racing, cockfighting, operation of cockpits, lottery and betting shops, and other gaming establishments. (Part I, Sec. 5.2, Alert Levels System Guidelines)

F. All other establishments or activities not prohibited may be allowed on-site provided they implement minimum public health standards. Establishments are encouraged to operate at minimal on-site capacity thru work-from-home arrangement and other flexible work arrangements. (Part I, Sec. 1.5, Alert Levels System Guidelines)

SECTION 6. BAZAARS, TIANGGES, AND POP-UP STORES. With the coming holiday season, it is expected that LGUs will have traditional bazaars, tiangges, and pop-up stores, with the expected influx of holiday shoppers. These stores are seasonal in nature and their traders, salespersons, exhibitors, organizers, and other personnel come from different parts of the country thereby making contact tracing highly difficult on the part of the concerned local government units in the event of Covid-19 exposure or infection.

A. Component LGUs may impose reasonable rules and/or restrictions on the establishments of traditional bazaars, tiangges, exhibits and pop-up stores, and regulate the operation of the same by imposing rules on their time and/or length of operation, location and other matters;

B. In order to guard against exposure to and/or infection with the Covid-19 virus all traders, salespersons, exhibitors, organizers, and other personnel are required to be fully vaccinated prior to their actual conduct of such Christmas bazaars, tiangges, and pop-up stores. Component LGUs are directed to monitor and implement compliance with this directive.

C. Component LGUs shall require proof of compliance of the vaccination requirement before permit is granted to such seasonable store merchants. In the alternative, a refusing staff or trader shall be required to undergo RT-PCR or antigen tests regularly at their own expense;

D. Compliance with the minimum health protocols including but not limited to wearing of face mask and physical distancing shall be strictly imposed thereat.

E. Infants and small toddlers less than five (5) years old, or those who, cannot by practical reasons/means wear facemasks and comply with physical distancing are not allowed in the bazaars, tiangges, exhibits and pop-up stores;

SECTION 7. CURFEW. There shall be a province wide curfew from 10:00 o’clock in the evening to 4:00 o’clock in the morning.

A. Night markets are therefore not allowed to operate beyond the curfew.

B. Simbang gabi and/or night masses shall likewise not be allowed beyond the curfew.

C. Wakes and vigils shall be allowed, but physical distancing must still be observed at all times.

SECTION 8. MEASURES TO RAMP UP VACCINATION. The following measures under IATF-EID Resolution No. 148-B (s.2021) shall be observed to ramp up the vaccination program of the National Government:

A. Upon determination by the National Vaccines Operation Center that supplies of Covid-19 vaccines in Pangasinan are sufficient, all employers in the public and private sector shall require their eligible employees tasked to do on-site work to be vaccinated.

i. Refusal shall not be a ground for termination but refusing employee shall be required to undergo RT-PCR or antigen tests regularly at their own expense.

B. Public transportation services shall require all their eligible workers to be fully vaccinated.

C. Establishments, except frontline and emergency services, may refuse to accommodate unvaccinated or merely partially unvaccinated individuals who are eligible for vaccination.

D. A medical clearance issued by the local health officer or birth certificate, as the case may be, shall serve as sufficient and valid proof of ineligibility for vaccination.

E. Upon sufficient proof of confirmed vaccination schedule, a worker to be vaccinated during work hours shall not be considered absent during that period.

F. Component LGUs are strongly enjoined to issue orders or ordinances to ramp up demand for vaccination by, among others, providing incentives for fully vaccinated individuals, and for business establishments which institute measures that promote vaccination among their employees and clients, and to the extent allowed by law, requiring proof of vaccination before individuals and/or entities may undertake or qualify for certain activities.

SECTION 9. DAILY SUBMISSION OF DATA. Component LGUs shall submit on a daily basis to their respective Regional IATF such data as determined by the National Government Agencies based on the template provided by the IATF-EID. (Part I, Sec. 1.2, Alert Levels System Guidelines)

In order to have an accurate assessment in placing areas under the Alert Level Levels System, the National Task Force Against Covid 19 National Vaccines Operation Center (NTF NVOC) and the DICT shall facilitate the provision of daily vaccination data, such as relevant data on target population and vaccination coverage per priority group disaggregated for the LGUs to the TWG on Data Analytics.

Part II – IMPOSITION OF GRANULAR LOCKDOWN

SECTION 10. AUTHORITY TO DECLARE. The authority to impose granular lockdown shall be given to the city and municipal mayors with respect to the following (Part II, Sec. 1, Alert Levels System Guidelines):

A. Component barangays, subject to the concurrence of the Regional Inter-Agency Task Force;

B. Individual houses, where one household member has been confirmed;

C. Residential buildings, streets, blocks, puroks, subdivisions, and/or villages within their jurisdiction.

SECTION 11. PARAMETERS TO DECLARE. Based on NTF-CV Memorandum Circular No. 2, the following parameters shall be observed in declaring Granular Lockdown:

A. House – at least one (1) suspect, probable, or confirmed Covid-19 case;

B. Residential building –

i. for a residential building floor, at least two (2) suspects, probable or confirmed Covid-19 cases in such floor;

ii. for the entire residential building, at least (2) suspects, probable or confirmed Covid-19 cases in two different floors;

C. Street – at least two (2) clusters of cases, composed of either suspect, probable and/or confirmed Covid-19 cases in different houses, buildings, or establishments along a specified street;

D. Block – at least three (2) clusters of cases, composed of either suspect, probable and/or confirmed Covid-19 cases, in at least two different streets surrounding the block;

E. Purok – at least three (3) clusters of cases, composed of either suspect, probable and/or confirmed Covid-19 cases, in different houses or buildings within the purok;

F. Subdivisions/villages – at least four (4) clusters of cases, composed of either suspect, probable and/or confirmed Covid-19 cases, in at least two different streets or blocks, whichever is applicable;

G. Barangay

i. For densely-populated barangay (population density greater than 1,000/km2), at least five (5) clusters of cases, composed of either suspect, probable, and/or confirmed Covid-19 cases in at least three different sitios, puroks, or blocks, whichever is applicable;

ii. For sparsely-populated barangay (population density less than 1,000/km2), at least two (2) clusters of cases, composed of either suspect, probable and/or confirmed Covid-19 cases, in at least two different sitios, puroks, or blocks, whichever is applicable;

iii. For a settlement area, at least two (2) clusters of cases, composed of either suspect, probable and/or confirmed Covid-19 cases, from at least two different areas within the settlement.

SECTION 12. DURATION AND EFFECTIVITY OF LOCKDOWN. Granular lockdowns shall be for a period of not less than fourteen (14) days, as prescribed by the Alert Levels System Guidelines.

Declaration of granular lockdowns by LCEs shall be provisionally effective immediately and shall include due notice to the Regional IATF, which shall immediately act on the said declaration.

SECTION 13. MOVEMENT DURING LOCKDOWN. Movement within, into, and out of the area under granular lockdown shall only be allowed to healthcare workers (HCWs) and non-health personnel working in hospitals, laboratories, dialysis facilities, and community healthcare workers if their institutions are unable to provide accommodation for their personnel, and uniformed personnel tasked to enforce the granular lockdown (Part II, Sec. 6, Alert Levels System Guidelines), as well as:

A. Outbound Overseas Filipino Workers and those returning to their residences after completing facility-based quarantine;

B. Returning residents, who must thereafter remain therein for the duration of the granular lockdown;

C. Individuals under exceptional circumstances, such as those seeking urgent medical attention as validated by the municipal/city health officer;

D. Food and essential items provided that they can only be picked up and/or unloaded at border collection points designated by the LGU.

SECTION 14. ASSISTANCE. Assistance to affected individuals shall be immediately provided by the respective LGUs for the first seven (7) days and by the DSWD thereafter. (Part II, Sec. 7, Alert Levels System Guidelines)

SECTION 15. REPORTING. LGUs shall report details of their granular lockdowns to the DILG in the prescribed format by the IATF-EID.

SECTION 16. SEPARABILITY CLAUSE. Should any provision of this Order be declared by a court of competent authority as invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining provisions not adversely affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 17. EFFECTIVITY CLAUSE. This Order shall take effect immediately until or unless subsequently amended/revoked/revised. All orders, rules, regulations, promulgations, circulars, and/or issuances by the IATF and/or concerned national government offices/agencies are hereby adopted. All previous issuances of the undersigned and/or by component LGUs, which are not in contravention of the IATF Resolutions and/or its member agencies shall be made applicable in a suppletory manner.