The Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease (IATF-EID) has issued Public Advisory No. 22 on COVID-19 Travel Restrictions which will be implemented on Feb. 1.
The order on travel restriction lightens the requirement for returning fully vaccinated Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and arriving international travelers.
Though OFWs and foreign tourists no longer have to undergo a mandatory quarantine, they are still required to present a negative result of the Reverse Transcription - Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test prior to their departure from the country of origin.
While the mandatory quarantine upon arrival is not required anymore for those who are fully vaccinated, travelers will still have to self-quarantine at home for seven days to observe for any symptoms of COVID-19. Note that the arrival serves as the first day of quarantine.
Meanwhile, President Rodrigo Duterte has authorized the reopening of the country for international travels starting Feb. 10.
“Fully vaccinated international arriving passengers shall be required to present a negative (RT-PCR) test taken within 48 hours prior to departure from the country of origin,” Presidential spokesperson Karlo Nograles said in a press briefing on Monday, Jan. 31.
Nograles added that a mandatory facility-based quarantine upon arrival will no longer be required.
In an online interview, Marietta Mendoza, a returning OFW from the United States of America (USA), said that the ease in travel protocols is an opportunity for her to spend more quality time with her family and friends.
“I get to spend more time with the family, and more importantly, without having to worry about the days of vacation when going back home to their country of work,” Mendoza said.
According to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), travelers should also be aware of the following documents to bring from the country of origin they are coming from:
Negative RT-PCR test result (48 hours prior before the flight).
The international arriving passengers may present one of the following proof of vaccination against COVID-19 listed below:
International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis, approved by the World Health Organization (WHO)
VaxCertPH
National or state certificate of the foreign government or vaccination cards from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (if vaccinated in the US).
For children 12 years old and below that cannot be vaccinated, they must follow the quarantine protocols of the parents or guardians traveling with them.
On the other hand, those who are unvaccinated, partially vaccinated, or have an invalidated vaccination should take note of the following things to do upon arrival to the Philippines:
International travelers must present a negative RT-PCR test taken 48 hours prior to the departure flight from the point of origin.
They must undergo a facility-based quarantine for five days until the release of a negative RT-PCR test on the fifth day of quarantine. After the facility-based quarantine, the passenger must also undergo a fourteen-day home quarantine which will be monitored by the local government and the Barangay Health Emergency Response Team.
For more inquiries and updates, IATF can be reached through their email iatfsecretariat@doh.gov.ph
By Julian Arenas
#COVID-19 #OFW #Arrowhead
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