Legal Updates for April 2021

Guidelines on the Administration of the COVID-19 Vaccine in Workplaces

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) recently released its guidelines on the administration by employers in the private sector of the COVID-19 vaccine in workplaces. This is in line with Republic Act No. 11525 or the COVID-19 Vaccination Program Act of 2021, which provides that private entities may procure COVID-19 vaccines only through a multiparty agreement with the Department of Health (DOH), the National Task Force Against COVID-19 (NTF), and the relevant supplier of the COVID-19 vaccine.

IATF Imposes Additional Quarantine Measures and Restrictions Amidst the Rising Cases of COVID-19

The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) issued various resolutions to address the recent rise in the number of COVID-19 cases in the Philippines. These include a resolution placing the National Capital Region, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal under Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) until April 11, 2021.

Bureau of Immigration Updates International Travel Guidelines

Effective 1 March 2021, all foreign nationals who are issued visas (except holders of 9(a) visas and Emigration Clearance Certificates issued by the Bureau of Immigration (“BI”) are required to secure a Travel Pass from the same agency which issued their visas (i.e. BI, Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA)).  Each agency under BI is directed to formulate their own guidelines and procedure in issuing the Travel Pass for departing foreign nationals.