The Philippines will implement new COVID-19 protocols for international arrivals starting Feb. 1, Malacañang said Friday as the country suspended its prevailing travel classification system.
The Philippines will replace the current "Green-Yellow-Red List" system, where arriving travelers adhere to varying COVID-19 protocols depending on the classification of their country of origin, with a set of guidelines that disregards a traveler's country of origin.
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Here are the new COVID-19 protocols for arriving international travelers effective Feb. 1 as approved by the government's inter-agency task force on COVID-19 response:
For the fully vaccinated
1. Fully vaccinated international arrivals will be required to present a negative RT-PCR test taken within 48 hours prior to departure from the country of origin.
2. Upon arrival, they will no longer be required to observe mandatory facility-based quarantine.
3. They need to self-monitor for any signs or symptoms for seven days with the first day being the date of arrival. They also need to report to the local government unit of destination should they show any symptoms.
Fully vaccinated travelers need to present any of the following proof of vaccination:
- WHO International Certificates of Vaccination and Prophylaxis
- VaxCertPH
- National/state digital certificate of the foreign government which has accepted VaxCertPH under a reciprocal agreement unless otherwise permitted by the IATF
For the unvaccinated, partially vaccinated, and those whose vaccination status cannot be independently verified
1. They shall be required to present a negative RT-PCR test taken within 48 hours prior to departure from the country of origin.
2. Upon arrival, they are required to undergo facility-based quarantine until the release of their negative RT-PCR test taken on the fifth day.
3. They need to undergo home quarantine until the 14th day with the date of arrival being the first day. LGUs of destination and their respective barangay health response teams are tasked to monitor those arriving passengers undergoing home quarantine.
Cabinet Sec. Karlo Nograles also announced new amendments to entry rules for travelers, to allow fully vaccinated nationals of non-visa required countries to travel to the Philippines subject to the following rules and regulations starting Feb. 10:
1. Holders of passports valid for at least six months at the time of arrival, and with return or outbound ticket to their country of origin or next country of destination.
2. Must have the following proofs of vaccination against COVID-19:
- WHO International Certificates of Vaccination and Prophylaxis
- VaxCertPH
- National/state digital certificate of the foreign government which has accepted VaxCertPH under a reciprocal agreement unless otherwise permitted by the IATF
3. Children below 18 years of age are exempted from the requirement of full vaccination and providing proof of vaccination status prior to boarding.
4. They need to observe the existing testing and quarantine protocols in place for fully vaccinated international arriving passengers.
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