IATF to reconvene soon: DOH

Department of Health officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire. (File Photo: Department of Health (Philippines)/Facebook)

MANILA – The Inter Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) will reconvene in the coming weeks to discuss the directives of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

In a media briefing Tuesday, Department of Health officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire said IATF-EID members agreed to have a technical working group to study the country’s border restrictions.

“Titingnan natin kung base sa safety protocols natin ay puwede nating ma-ease (We’ll see if based on our safety protocols, we can ease) those restrictions,” she said. “Maybe we will give them another two weeks, and then, we can reconvene”.

When asked about the importance of One Health Pass (OHP), Vergeire clarified that it was not created to add unnecessary burden to inbound international travelers.

“Itong database na ito ay napaka-importante specifically kapag tayo ay nagko-contract tracing, kapag tayo ay may hinahanap na tao na (This database is important specifically when we do contact tracing, when we’re looking for an individual) afflicted with a specific disease, this is what we use,” she said.

OHP is an online platform that aims to promote the convenient and seamless movement of international travelers from departure from the country of origin to arrival at the local government unit of destination.

On the other hand, she agreed that the OHP has gaps in processing and has many requirements for returning overseas Filipinos.

She said concerned agencies are discussing about a mechanism that could improve the OHP registration and eliminate inconvenience among travelers.

Protocols on testing, isolation and quarantine will also be discussed when the IATF reconvenes.