FILE PHOTO Airline ground staff (L) wearing protective gear work at the counter at the airport in Manila on. (Photo by Ted ALJIBE / AFP)
MANILA, Philippines — Fully vaccinated international arriving passengers and returning Filipinos will no longer be required to undergo facility-based quarantine upon arrival starting February 1 as the government suspended the color classification of countries and territories, Malacañang said Friday.
Starting February 1, fully vaccinated inbound travelers will instead be required to present a negative RT-PCR test taken within 48 hours prior to departure from the country of origin, Cabinet Secretary and acting presidential spokesperson Karlo Nograles said in a press briefing.
Inbound travelers earlier were categorized based on their country of origin’s “green,” “yellow,” or “red” classification.
“Upon arrival, they shall no longer be required to observe mandatory facility-based quarantine,” he said.
The inbound travelers should monitor themselves for any sign or symptom for seven days, with the first day being the data of arrival. They shall also be required to report to their respective local government unit if they will have symptoms.
Nograles said that international arriving passengers should have the following proof of COVID-19 vaccination:
– World Health Organization international certificates of vaccination and prophylaxis
– VaxCertPH
– National/state digital certificate of the government which has accepted VaxCertPH under a reciprocal arrangement unless otherwise permitted by the Inter-Agency Task Force
Meanwhile, unvaccinated, partially vaccinated, or individuals whose vaccination status cannot be independently validated will be required to present a negative RT-PCR test taken within 48 hours prior to departure from the country of origin.
They will be required to undergo facility-based quarantine until the release of their negative RT-PCR test taken on the fifth day, according to Nograles.
They will also be required to undergo home quarantine until the 14th day after their arrival. Their respective LGUs are tasked to monitor arriving passengers who will undergo home quarantine.
Nograles said that children below 12 years old who cannot be vaccinated shall follow the quarantine protocols of parents or the accompanying guardian traveling with them.
Also starting February 16, foreign nationals entering the country must show proof of full vaccination against COVID-19.