The Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) is now allowing the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) and its authorized agents to resume the selling of Lotto, Keno, Scratch-It and Small Town Lottery tickets nationwide even under Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ).
In an order on May 13, 2021, the IATF has directed the PCSO to ensure strict compliance to health and safety protocols and the observance of minimum public health standards.
In a separate resolution, the IATF has allowed the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to conduct in-person assessments for household service workers (HSWs) in places under MECQ.
However, the IATF clarified that the conduct of the activity is subject to conditions, such as said in-person assessments shall be held only in TESDA Training Institutions and in-person assessments remain prohibited in private assessment centers.
In addition, in-persons assessments shall only be limited for HSWs ready for overseas deployment, hence, they must have valid contracts and visas.
Applicants are advised to further abide by TESDA guidelines relative to the conduct of in-person assessments.
The task force is also allowing the resumption of Career Executive Service Written Examinations and Assessment Centers by the Career Executive Service Board, subject to health and safety protocols and the strict observance of the minimum public health standards.
All these latest announcements came shortly after President Duterte placed the NCR Plus and several other areas under General Community Quarantine (GCQ) with heightened restrictions.
Meanwhile, all diplomats or 9(e) visa holders shall continue to be governed by the testing and quarantine protocols as authorized under IATF Resolution No. 92, dated January 5, 2021, while all 9(a) visa holders are required to have an entry exemption document to be allowed to enter the Philippines.
Exemption documents issued by the National Task Force shall be recognized until May 31, 2021.