Outbound Travellers Can Skip Negative Antigen Test Before Departure

Outbound travel resumed earlier this week and Filipinos heading out of the country can skip the negative antigen test before they board the plane, the Palace said on Friday.

The country's pandemic response task force previously required outgoing passengers to present a negative result for an antigen test at least 24 hours before departure.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said the IATF ammended this resolution and passengers would now be allowed to depart without presenting a negative antigen test.

MORE ON ATIGEN TESTS:
Antigen Tests Eyed to Screen Visitors in Tourist Bubbles, DOH Says
Antigen Testing Cleared for Local Air Travel, Tourism

Those travelling on short-term or visitor visas must submit confirmed round-trip tickets and must have travel and health insurance to cover any possible disruptions brought about by COVID-19 during their stay abroad.

LIVE UPDATES: Filipinos Weathering the Pandemic with Grit

LIVE UPDATES: Restrictions are Easing for Travel, Malls, Churches

Passengers are required to acknowledge the possible risks of travelling at check-in counters.

If the destination country or area requires a COVID-19 test, Filipino passengers must comply. Upon returning, passengers must comply with the guidelines of the National Task Force on returning overseas Filipinos.

The country earlier approved of antigen-based testing to screen local air travelers for COVID-19. While less conclusive than the RT-PCR swab test, which is considered the gold-standard in testing, it is more reliable than the rapid antibody test.

Unlike the RT-PCR test, the antigen test can be easily validated in laboratories or healthcare settings.