PH eases travel curbs for tourists from countries with variants

MANILA, Philippines — The government has allowed foreigners from some countries that have the new COVID-19 variants to enter the Philippines and has amended quarantine protocols on passengers arriving from these areas, with the new rules requiring them to be tested twice for the disease within five days from their arrival.

The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) said passengers from countries subject to travel restrictions have to be tested upon arrival and quarantined until the result of a subsequent test administered on the fifth day is released.

Those who yield a negative result on their second test would be endorsed to the local government of destination, which would be required to monitor the remainder of their 14-day quarantine.

Previously, the IATF required Filipino passengers arriving from the restricted countries to observe a 14-day facility-based quarantine.

The IATF has also granted exemptions to the prohibition on the entry of foreigners from countries with COVID-19 variants.

Exempted are accredited foreign diplomats and foreign employees of accredited international organizations, such as the World Health Organization and the United Nations.

But they must undergo a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction test upon arrival, execute an undertaking and observe a strict 14-day quarantine.

The spouse and children of Filipino citizens traveling with them are also now allowed to enter the country, subject to the same testing and quarantine protocols applicable to Filipino citizens.

Those traveling to the Philippines for medical and emergency cases and their medical escorts could also enter the country but would be subject to applicable testing and quarantine measures prescribed by the Department of Health.