PRESS RELEASE: IATF announces the refined list of Priority Group A4 of the COVID-19 Immunization Program.

The Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on Thursday, May 27, approved the recommendation to refine the Priority Group A4 of the COVID-19 Immunization Program.

Those eligible under this category now include:

• Private sector workers required to be physically present at their designated workplace outside their residences; 
• Employees in government agencies and instrumentalities, including government-owned and controlled corporations and local government units;
• Informal sector workers and self-employed who may be required to work outside their residences; and
• Those working in private households

Also approved is the initial vaccine deployment for Priority Group A4 workers in the National Capital Region, Bulacan, Pampanga, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Metro Cebu, and Metro Davao.

The IATF likewise re-categorized to Priority Group A1 outbound overseas Filipino workers for deployment within the next four months from the intended date of vaccination.

Immediate family members of healthcare workers, on the other hand, are included under Priority Group A1 once vaccine supply becomes available.

Meanwhile, local government units (LGUs) shall continuously prioritize A1, A2, and A3 Priority Groups by establishing special lanes and / or vaccination centers for health frontliners, senior citizens, and other vulnerable population sectors. For Priority Group A4, LGUs may give preference for persons aged 40 to 59 years old over 18 to 39 years old.

To improve the use of StaySafe.PH, the IATF adopted the use of modules for establishment protection as well as citizen application, subject to the presentation to the IATF of its operability. Further, the IATF approved the recommendation for the Joint Administrative Order for the Interoperability of All Contact Tracing Applications.

Meanwhile, the Department of Tourism (DOT)-Accredited Accommodation Establishments with Certificates of Authority to Operate for Staycation may accommodate guests for staycation up to 100% venue capacity. These staycation hotels may also forego with the COVID-19 testing of guests as a prerequisite for accommodation as long as only 18 to 65 years old shall be allowed as guests.

DOT-accredited accommodation establishments in areas under General Community Quarantine (GCQ), on the other hand, may accommodate guests for leisure purposes for up to 30% of their venue capacity subject to DOT guidelines and other conditions.

LGUs are also mandated to adopt and utilize the Department of Information and Communications Technology Vaccine Administration System (D-VAS) to be done in phases as may be determined by the DICT, without prejudice to the use of the LGU’s own local database system as a supplementary system.

Finally, off-track betting stations of the Philippine Racing Commission may be allowed to resume, limited to selling tickets only, in areas under GCQ and Modified General Community Quarantine, subject to strict observance of minimum public health standards.

—(Source: PCOO)

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