Individuals who have received anti-Covid-19 vaccines will still undergo testing and quarantine once they enter the Philippines, according to the country’s Covid-19 task force.
As stated in Resolution No. 79 of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on Emerging Infectious Diseases, the country would screen passengers as a precaution against the new and more infectious coronavirus variant.
“Cognizant of the current limited knowledge as to the effect of available vaccines on the transmissibility of Covid-19, any individual arriving in the Philippines who may have received vaccination for Covid-19 in other countries/jurisdictions shall still be required to observe the mandatory testing and quarantine protocols,” the resolution read.
Also as a precaution, foreign travelers coming from countries/jurisdictions covered by travel restrictions for the new variant of Covid-19, or with a history of travel in those areas within the last 14 days prior to arrival in the Philippines, will not be allowed to enter the Philippines, with the exception of the following:
- Local/accredited foreign diplomats and international organizations such as the World Health Organization and the United Nations shall be exempted from quarantine protocols provided they will undergo RT-PCR test upon arrival at the airport, execute an undertaking, and observe strict 14-day quarantine pursuant to relevant DOH memorandum circular;
- Foreign dignitaries who shall observe existing testing and quarantine protocols upon arrival
- Those for medical and emergency cases, including their medical escorts, if any
Meanwhile, Filipino citizens coming from such areas will be allowed to enter the country, provided they undergo a 14-day facility-based quarantine period save for highly exceptional and/or medical reasons upon the determination of the Department of Health. John Ezekiel J. Hirro