Better keep your coronavirus vaccination cards safe since you might need the document in your next trip abroad.
The government has already identified three documents that could show proof of vaccination of travelers arriving from "green countries" so they would undergo shorter quarantine protocols.
Under the revised rules, the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) has included the vaccination certificates issued by local government units (LGUs) as among the documents that can be presented by returning travelers to verify their vaccination status.
For purposes of verification/confirmation of vaccination status, the IATF ruled that any of the following shall be acceptable:
1. For Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and their spouse, parent/s, and/or children traveling with them: a Certification from the Philippine Overseas Labor Office in the country of origin;
2. For Filipinos and foreigners fully vaccinated in the Philippines: either their LGU/ hospital-issued vaccination cards (in original and/or hard copy form) or Local Government Unit (LGU)-issued Vaccine Certificate, provided these can be verified/confirmed by border-control authorities, or Bureau of Quarantine (BoQ)-issued International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICV); or
3. For Filipinos and foreigners fully vaccinated abroad: the vaccination certificate issued by the health authorities of their place of vaccination; provided that such certificate can be independently verified/confirmed by Philippine authorities as valid or authentic.
The revised rules for "green lanes" to be applied to fully vaccinated travelers arriving in the Philippines were approved by the IATF during a meeting on July 22. The rules will take effect on July 26.
The government has imposed a seven-day facility-based quarantine for vaccinated travelers coming from "green" countries. The travelers must be fully vaccinated whether in the Philippines or abroad and their vaccination status can be verified by Philippine authorities as valid and authentic upon arrival in the country.
These travelers are required to undergo polymerase chain reaction test on the fifth day from arrival.
For those qualified for "Green Lanes," the IATF said the BOQ must ensure strict symptom monitoring while in the facility quarantine for seven days.
If the swab test shows a negative result, the individual must still complete the seven- day facility-based quarantine. But if found positive, the person shall follow the prescribed isolation protocols.
"Upon completion of such quarantine, the BOQ shall issue a Quarantine Certificate indicating therein the individual’s vaccination status. The individual is thereafter enjoined to monitor themselves for the next seven days for any symptoms," the IATF resolution No. 128-A read.
The task force earlier revised the list of "green" countries or those with low coronavirus risk which qualifies vaccinated travelers to 7-day quarantine instead of the standard 10 days upon arrival in the country. Included in the green list are Australia, Brunei, China, Israel, Hong Kong, Laos, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea and Vietnam.