The Philippines is set to implement new COVID-19 testing and quarantine protocols for returning Filipinos starting Feb. 10, Malacañang said Friday as the country revises its pandemic response strategy.
All returning Filipinos need to register with the One Health Pass prior to arrival, Cabinet Sec. Karlo Nograles said.
Here are the new COVID-19 testing and quarantine protocols for returning Filipinos effective Feb. 10:
Fully vaccinated
1. Negative RT-PCR test taken within 48 hours prior to departure from the country of origin or first point of embarkation in a continuous trip to the Philippines, excluding layovers provided that the traveler has not left the airport premises or has not been admitted into another country during the layover.
2. Upon arrival, they will no longer be required to observe mandatory facility-based quarantine.
3. They will be asked to self-monitor for any signs or symptoms for seven days with the first day being the date of arrival and will be required to report to the local government unit of destination upon the manifestation of symptoms.
They need to present any of the following proof of vaccination:
1. WHO International Certificate of Vaccination and Prophylaxis
2. VaxCertPH
3. National or state digital certificate of COVID-19 vaccination which has accepted VaxCertPH under a reciprocal arrangement
4. Other proofs of vaccination as allowed by the IATF
Unvaccinated, partially vaccinated, individuals whose verification status cannot be independently verified
1. Negative RT-PCR test taken within 48 hours prior to departure from the country of origin or first point of embarkation in a continuous trip to the Philippines, excluding layovers provided that the traveler has not left the airport premises or has not been admitted into another country during the layover.
2. They are required to undergo mandatory facility-based quarantine until the release of their negative RT-PCR test taken on the fifth day from the date of arrival.
3. They need to undergo home quarantine for 14 days from the date of arrival. LGUs of destination and their respective barangay health and emergency response teams are tasked to monitor arriving passengers undergoing home quarantine.
4. They will be asked to self-monitor for any signs or symptoms for seven days with the first day being the date of arrival and will be required to report to the local government unit of destination upon the manifestation of symptoms.
Unvaccinated Filipino minors
1. Filipinos below 12 years old who are not vaccinated, regardless of reason, will follow the quarantine protocols of their parents or accompanying adult/guardian.
2. Filipinos aged 12 to 17 years old must follow the classification and procedures based on their vaccination status
3. In cases of such unvaccinated minor children, either foreign or Filipino parents should accompany the child during their facility-based quarantine.
Fully recovered Filipinos with positive RT-PCR pre-departure test
Filipinos who have recovered from COVID-19 but tested positive for the 48-hour pre-departure RT-PCR test may enter the Philippines provided they present the following documents:
1. Positive RT-PCR test taken not earlier than 10 days but not later than 30 days prior to the date and time of departure from the country of origin or port of embarkation
2. Positive RT-PCR test taken within 48 hours prior to the date and time of departure from the country of origin or first point of embarkation in a continuous trip to the Philippines, excluding layovers provided that the traveler has not left the airport premises or has not been admitted into another country during the layover
3. A medical certificate issued by a licensed physician stating that the Filipino national is:
- was an asymptomatic, mild, moderate, severe, or critical COVID-19 case
- has completed the mandatory isolation period
- is no longer infectious
- has been allowed free movement and travel
4. Upon arrival, if they are fully vaccinated, they will no longer be required to observe mandatory facility-based quarantine but will self-monitor for any signs or symptoms for seven days with the first day being the date of arrival. Should they manifest any symptoms, they should report to the LGU of destination.
5. If unvaccinated, partially vaccinated, or whose vaccination status cannot be independently verified, they are required to undergo mandatory facility-based quarantine until the release of their negative RT-PCR test taken on the fifth day from the date of arrival. Afterwards, they need to undergo home quarantine for 14 days from the date of arrival
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