The Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) has come up with new testing and quarantine protocols for arriving international passengers to the Philippines originating from countries not belonging to the so-called red list.
Cabinet Secretary and Acting Presidential Spokesperson Karlo Nograles said the new protocols---approved on Thursday, Dec. 2--shall take effect on Friday, Dec. 3.
"For fully vaccinated individuals, they shall be required to have a negative RT-PCR (reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction) test conducted within 72 hours prior to departure from the country of origin. Upon arrival in the Philippines, they shall undergo facility-based quarantine with an RT-PCR test taken on the fifth day, with the date of arrival being the first day," Nograles said in a statement late Thursday night.
He said that regardless of a negative result, the just-arrived passengers shall be required to undergo home quarantine until the 14th day from the date of arrival.
"In the case of individuals who are unvaccinated, partially vaccinated, or whose vaccination status cannot be independently validated, they shall be required a negative RT-PCR test conducted within 72 hours prior to departure from the country of origin," noted Nograles, who also functions as IATF spokesperson.
"Upon arrival in the Philippines, they shall undergo facility-based quarantine with an RT-PCR test done on the seventh day, with the date of arrival being the first day. Regardless of a negative result, they shall be required to undergo home quarantine up to the 14th day from the date of arrival," he said.
Red-list countries are nations classified by IATF as high risk in connection with the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The two other classifications are called green list (low risk) and yellow list (moderate risk).
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has been directed to ensure that airlines only board passengers who comply with the negative RT-PCR test-before-travel requirement.
The testing and quarantine protocols of minors, on the other hand, shall follow the testing and quarantine protocol of the parent/guardian traveling with them, regardless of the minor’s vaccination status and country of origin, Nograles said.
For international passengers who have already arrived and are currently undergoing quarantine, they shall continue with the testing and quarantine protocols in place at the time of their arrival, he added.
"Filipinos from red list countries/territories/jurisdictions allowed entry via government-initiated or non-government repatriations, and Bayanihan Flights shall only be allowed to deplane via the Ninoy Aquino International Airport and/or Clark International Airport. The DOTr, through their attached agencies, is directed to ensure the compliance of airlines with this directive," the Cabinet Secretary said.
Upon arrival, the individual shall comply with the testing and quarantine protocols as prescribed under IATF Resolution No. 149-A (s.2021).