COVID-19 updates (SyCipLaw Bulletin # 4): IATF releases additional guidelines for the implementation of the Enhanced Community Quarantine in Luzon; Supreme Court orders physical closure of all courts nationwide

April 30, 2020

The following updates were covered by SyCipLaw’s bulletin to its clients:

1. The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease (IATF) issued Resolution No. 14 on March 22, 2020 providing specific guidelines for the implementation of Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) over Luzon such as list of individuals exempted to the strict home quarantine and other issuances that temporarily take effect during the quarantine period.

2. On March 20, 2020, the Supreme Court issued Administrative Circular No. 32-2020, ordering that all courts nationwide, from the Supreme Court to the first level courts, shall be physically closed to all court users and may be reached only through their respective hotlines, e-mail addresses, and Facebook accounts (if available), effective March 23, 2020. The circular was issued in line with the appeal of the Philippine Government for the general public to stay at home to prevent the further spread of COVID-19 infection.

The full text of the bulletin can be found at (https://mailchi.mp/30b000dbcb6f/iatf-resolution-no-14-and-supreme-court-ac-32-2020-developments-in-the-philippines-relating-to-the-covid-19-pandemic)

The bulletin was prepared by SyCipLaw partners Rose Marie M. King-Dominguez, Arlene M. Maneja, and Ronald Mark C. Lleno, with the assistance of senior associate, Austin Claude S. Alcantara and legal assistant, Severino Miguel B. Sanchez.

Please go to syciplawresources.com to see our latest COVID-19 related bulletins and briefings, and for a list of Philippine government issuances covered by our bulletins and briefings.