Waiving swab test rule for fully-vaccinated tourists mulled

Panglao Island in Bohol  (LEO UDTOHAN / INQUIRER)

MANILA, Philippines — The government’s COVID-19 task force will discuss the possibility of waiving the RT-PCR or swab test requirement for fully vaccinated tourists, Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said Monday.

“May IATF [Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases] meeting kami this afternoon. Ang pinag-uusapan kung paano let’s say, kung fully vaccinated naman, baka hindi na kailangan mag RT-PCR pero yun ay pinaguusapan,” Romulo-Puyat said in a televised briefing.

(We have an IATF meeting this afternoon. We will discusss whether or not allowing fully vaccinated persons to forgo the RT-PCR requirement is possible.)

Romulo-Puyat told INQUIRER.net this is only for domestic travel, further noting that travel requirements are still up to the local government units.

Tourists of all ages have been allowed to travel from Metro Manila and its nearby provinces to areas under modified general community quarantine until the end of the month.

Romulo-Puyat stressed that adherence to health and safety protocols when traveling must strictly be followed.  

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