Malacañang said that all passengers arriving in the Philippines are now required to undergo facility-based quarantine as the government steps up its efforts in addressing the new and more contagious COVID-19 strain.
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque made the statement after the government added the Czech Republic to the growing list of countries included in the travel ban.
In his statement, Roque said the Inter-agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases adopted the new quarantine and testing protocols for all persons allowed to enter the Philippines.
The new protocols will take effect on February 1, 2021.
According to Roque, arriving passengers, regardless of their origin, shall be required to undergo facility-based quarantine upon arrival. They shall undergo an RT-PCR test on the fifth day unless the passenger shows symptoms at an earlier date while on quarantine.
Once a passenger tested negative, the passenger shall be endorsed to the local government unit (LGU) of destination where the passenger shall continue the remainder of the 14-day quarantine under the strict monitoring of the LGU.
Roque said appropriate patient management shall be observed.
The Philippines will not be accepting travelers coming from the Czech Republic starting January 28 following the detection of the B.1.1.7. COVID-19 variant that originated in the United Kingdom.
The Czech Republic is the 36th jurisdiction covered by the travel ban which is set to last until January 31.
On Monday, President Duterte recalled IATF's order to relax the age restrictions which allowed kids aged 10 to 14 years old to leave their homes, citing the more contagious COVID-19 strain that is believed to affect even children.