Countries under the red list are now down to eight while those on the green list are at 41, based on the new country risk classification lists from Dec. 16 to Dec. 31.
Acting Presidential Spokesperson Karlo Nograles disclosed in a press briefing Wednesday, Dec. 15, the nations and jurisdictions under the new risk classification lists for the next 15 days.
Countries under the red list or countries considered high risk for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) based on incidence rate and case count include Andorra, France, Monaco, Northern Mariana Islands, Reunion, San Marino, South Africa, and Switzerland.
Nations under the green list are Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, British Virgin Islands, Chad, People's Republic of China, Comoros, Ivory Coast, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Falkland Islands, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Hongkong, Indonesia, Japan, Kenya, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Liberia, Montserrat Morocco, Oman, Pakistan, Paraguay, Rwanda, Saba (Special municipality of the Kingdom of The Netherlands), Saint Barthelemy, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sint Eustatius, Sudan, Taiwan, Timor-Leste, Togo, Uganda, and United Arab Emirates.
Countries under the green list are those considered low risk for COVID-19 based on incidence rate and case count.
All other countries, territories, and jurisdictions not placed on either the green or red lists are under the yellow list, or nations tagged as moderate risk for COVID-19 based on the same metrics.
The latest IATF resolution reiterated that allowed travellers from red list countries to enter the Philippines are only Filipinos returning via repatriation.
Nograles said countries initially classified under the green list based on case and test metrics but with local transmission of Omicron will be reclassified as yellow list country.
The Cabinet Secretary also disclosed that the temporary suspension of testing and quarantine protocols for countries or territories classified as green has been lifted.
"For this purpose, the testing and quarantine protocols of international arriving passengers coming from green list countries/jurisdictions/territories shall comply with the latest testing and quarantine protocols approved by the IATF," the resolution stated.