THE Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) today released the final entry, testing and quarantine protocols for Filipino and foreign travelers coming from other countries.
The new guidelines for Filipinos and foreign travelers from overseas will be effective starting 12:01 a.m. on February 10, 2022.
For fully vaccinated Filipinos who will arrive in the country, they still need to present a negative RT-PCR test result taken 48 hours before leaving their country of origin.
Upon arrival in the country, they will not be required to undergo mandatory facility-based quarantine but should do self-monitoring in their homes for any symptoms of the disease within seven days.
Based on IATF Resolution Number 160-A, it said that a Filipino will be considered fully vaccinated if he/she received a second dose of the vaccine or a single-dose vaccine more than 14 days before departing from the country of origin.
The vaccine received should be included in the list of vaccines given Emergency Use Authorization or Compassionate Special Permit by the Food and Drug Administration, and should also be under the Emergency Use Authorization listing of the World Health Organization (WHO).
Travelers should also need to present proof that they were vaccinated before boarding the plane and upon arrival, such as the WHO International Certificate of Vaccination and Prophylaxis or from VaxCertPH, or national or state digital certificate from their country of origin that accepts VaxCertPH and other proof of vaccination accepted by the IATF.
Travelers should also be registered under the One Health Pass, an online platform for people visiting the Philippines, before their arrival in the country.
Acting Presidential Spokesperson and Cabinet Secretary Karlo Alexei Nograles reminded Filipinos going home to the Philippines to make sure that they have completed and complied with the requirements.
If not, they will be considered unvaccinated and must undergo mandated protocols for unvaccinated Filipinos.
This includes undergoing facility based-quarantine and negative RT-PCR test to be taken on the fifth day before they are allowed to leave the facility, and to continue the 14-day quarantine in their home, which will be monitored by their local government unit.