Oops…COVID-19 tests may still be required for fully vaccinated tourists

Suddenly, your vax card may not give you hassle-free access to tourist spots. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Tourists may still need to show a negative COVID-19 test result despite recent statements indicating vaccination cards will suffice, the Department of Health (DOH) clarified on Wednesday.

According to DOH, Resolution No. 101 of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) stands while the government is still trying to establish a policy for the use of vaccination cards.

“While the IATF has said that vax cards may be used in lieu of the testing requirements, as we iron out operational concerns, IATF Reso 101 remains in effect. This means that the LGU can still require testing as a requirement to entry,” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire told reporters.

“Status quo po tayo,” she added.

Earlier, confusion ensued when Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said travelers should stick to the previous IATF protocols until a new policy is in place – referring to Resolution No. 101.

Under the said resolution, testing is not mandatory for travelers except if local government units (LGUs) require it before entry.

READ: IATF OKs uniform travel protocols; No more mandatory Covid-19 test, quarantine unless… 

“What the SOH (Secretary of Health) said is we will revert to the previous IATF Reso – he was referring to RESO 101 where it is up to the LGU if they will still require testing,” Vergeire added.

Recently, several local government units where tourist spots are located allow fully vaccinated tourists to enter without presenting a COVID-19 test result.

Baguio City made the announcement last Monday, while Davao City followed suit on Tuesday — as more individuals get vaccinated against the pandemic.

READ: Baguio now welcomes fully vaccinated tourists even without COVID-19 test results 

READ: Davao City will allow entry of fully-vaccinated travelers without COVID-19 test results

Last June 18, DOH also opened the possibility of doing away with COVID-19 testing for Filipinos coming back to the Philippines, who were vaccinated outside the country.  Currently, the policy only applies to individuals who got their vaccines in the Philippines.

READ: DOH wants non-requirement of COVID test for Filipinos vaccinated abroad 

The government is looking to usher in herd immunity before the year-end, to kickstart the ailing economy.  As of Monday, government officials said that over 11 million COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered across the country, although no breakdown has been given yet.

In terms of COVID-19 cases, DOH earlier said that active infections in the country went down to 47,519 as only 4,289 infections were recorded.  In contrast, 6,399 recoveries were tallied.

READ: Active COVID-19 cases down again to 47,519 with only 4,289 new infections 

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