MANILA, Philippines — Individuals who were fully vaccinated abroad entering the Philippines from “green” or low-risk countries are now allowed to undergo a seven-day quarantine period starting July 1, Malacañang said Tuesday.
The shortened quarantine period only previously covered persons who were fully vaccinated in the Philippines.
“Sa mga nakatanggap ng full vaccination sa labas ng Pilipinas, kinakailangan dala niyo ang opisyal ng dokumento na nagsasabi na sila ay nabakunahan na,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque in an online press briefing.
(To those who received full vaccination outside the Philippines, you need to bring the official documents stating you were already vaccinated.)
These travelers should have stayed the past 14 days exclusively in “green” countries or those that are low-risk based on their COVID-19 disease incidence rate.
They are considered fully vaccinated against COVID-19 two or more weeks after receiving a single-dose shot or the second shot of a two-dose vaccine.
Vaccines administered to the individual must have either an emergency use authorization or a compassionate special permit from the Philippines Food and Drug Administration or is included in the World Health Organization’s emergency use listing.
Roque said travelers’ documents must be validated by a Philippine Overseas Labor Officer. They may also opt to present an International Certificate of Vaccination.
Asked which countries are considered as “low-risk,” Roque said the Department of Health will determine these and will soon release a list.
Arriving individuals qualified for the seven-day facility-based quarantine must undergo an RT-PCR or swab test on the fifth day upon arrival.
If the RT-PCR test yields a negative result, the individual must still complete the seven-day quarantine before they are allowed to go home.
Previously, persons fully vaccinated abroad must undergo a 10-day facility-based quarantine where they take a RT-PCR test on the seventh day upon arrival.