AFTER France, Portugal was added to the country’s Red list of nations, according to the government’s pandemic task force Friday.
Acting Presidential Spokesperson and Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said in a press briefing today that all passengers who have been to Portugal within 14 days prior to their arrival to the country will not be allowed to enter regardless of vaccination status starting December 15, 2021.
However, Filipinos brought back to the country through government- and non-government-initiated repatriation efforts and Bayanihan Flights may be allowed entry.
The addition of Portugal brings the total number of countries in the Red list to 16 nations and territories.
The Inter-agency Task Force (IATF) also released new testing and quarantine protocols for Filipinos coming from countries in the Red list, wherein fully vaccinated passengers must present a negative RT-PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to their flight to the Philippines, uUndergo facility-based quarantine with an RT-PCR test taken on the 7th day from the date of their arrival, and observe home quarantine until the 14th day if they are discharged from the facility upon the release of a negative RT-PCR test.
Meanwhile, passengers who are unvaccinated, partially vaccinated, and whose vaccination status cannot be verified must present a negative RT-PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to their flight to the Philippines, complete a 10-day facility-based quarantine with an RT-PCR test taken on the 7th day from the date of their arrival, and observe home quarantine until the 14th day.
Minors must also follow the protocols set for their parent or guardian, but children aged three and below are not required to present a negative RT-PCR test result before boarding the flight unless they are symptomatic.
Nograles added that passengers who arrived before December 12, 2021, and are currently undergoing quarantine shall complete the testing and quarantine protocols in effect at the time of their arrival.