Forget about the color-based risk classification of countries as far as the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is concerned.
The government's pandemic task force has temporarily suspended the classification of countries or territories as "green", "yellow", and "red", after it set new arrival protocols for all inbound passengers whether Filipino or foreign travelers.
In his press briefing on Friday, Jan. 28, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said that the new entry, testing, and quarantine protocols will take effect on Feb. 1, 2022, and will apply to all inbound travelers regardless of their country of origin.
Before this, the Inter-agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases had different protocols depending on a country's risk classification.
Fully vaccinated travelers
Fully vaccinated international arriving passengers must present a negative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test taken within 48 hours prior to their flight to the Philippines.
They are no longer required to undergo facility quarantine but must self-monitor for symptoms for seven days. They are to report to their local government unit (LGU) upon the manifestation of symptoms.
Fully vaccinated international travelers must present the following proofs of vaccination:
- World Health Organization (WHO) International Certificates of Vaccination and Prophylaxis
- VaxCertPH
- National/state digital certificate of the foreign government which recognizes VaxCertPH
Other vaccination status
Meanwhile, passengers who are unvaccinated, partially vaccinated, and those whose vaccination status cannot be verified will have to present a negative RT-PCR test taken within 48 hours prior to their flight to the Philippines.
They will be required to undergo facility quarantine and undergo another test on day 5. They may be released upon a negative result but will have to undergo home quarantine until day 14.
LGUs of destination are tasked to monitor the home quarantine of arriving passengers.