MANILA, Philippines (AP) —In light of the temporary suspension of the “green,” “yellow,” and “red” Covid-19 risk classifications for countries, territories, and jurisdictions, the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) has updated the testing and quarantine protocols for inbound Filipino travelers.
The new guidelines, which were contained in IATF-EID Resolution 160-A, which was passed on Thursday, will go into effect at 12:01 a.m. on February 10th.
At a palace briefing on Friday, Acting Presidential Spokesperson and Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said at a palace briefing on Friday that fully vaccinated Filipinos must submit a negative result of an RT-PCR test done within 48 hours before leaving their place of origin.
They will no longer be subject to facility-based quarantine upon arrival, but will be asked to self-monitor for any COVID-19 symptoms for seven days.
Upon the appearance of symptoms, they will be required to report to the local government unit of their destination.
Meanwhile, Nograles stated that Filipinos who are unvaccinated, partially vaccinated, or whose vaccination status cannot be independently validated should have a negative RT-PCR test result 48 hours prior to departure.
He stated that they would be subjected to facility-based quarantine until the results of a negative RT-PCR test taken on the fifth day after their arrival.
They will be obliged to stay at home for 14 days under the supervision of their destination’s local government units (LGUs) and their respective barangay health emergency response teams.
Unvaccinated Filipinos under the age of 12 must adhere to the quarantine protocols of the parent or guardian accompanying them.
According to Nograles, Filipinos who have recovered from COVID-19 but still have a positive RT-PCR test result may enter the nation if they submit the following documents:
-Positive RT-PCR test performed at least 10 days but no more than 30 days before departure from the country of origin.
A positive RT-PCR test result obtained within 48 hours of departure is required.
-A medical certificate from a licensed physician declaring that the Filipino tourist has completed the obligatory COVID-19 isolation time, is no longer infectious, and has been given permission to move and travel freely.
If they are completely vaccinated before arriving in the Philippines, they will not be required to adhere to a mandatory facility-based quarantine.
If they are unvaccinated, they must be quarantined at a facility until their negative RT-PCR test results are released on the fifth day, after which they must be quarantined at home until the 14th day. (PNA)
