The government’s pandemic task force has temporarily suspended color-based risk classifications of countries and territories while setting new arrival guidelines for all inbound passengers, which will go into effect on February 1.
In a press briefing on Friday, January 28, acting presidential spokesperson Karlo Nograles stated that the green, yellow and red classifications will be temporarily halted and will apply to all travelers, whether Filipino or foreign.
Nograles said the decision is based on the Inter-Agency Task Force’s (IATF) recommendation on COVID-19 new variants and sub-technical working group (TWG) analytics.
Under the new protocol, international arriving passengers who are fully vaccinated must present a negative RT-PCR test taken within 48 hours of their arrival to the country.
They are no longer required to undergo mandatory facility-based quarantine, but they must self-monitor for any signs or symptoms for seven days and report to the local government unit of destination if symptoms appear.
Fully vaccinated international passengers must present proof of vaccination, such as World Health Organization International Certificates of Vaccination and Prophylaxis, VaxCertPH, or a national/state digital certificate from a foreign government that recognizes VaxCertPH.
On the other hand, passengers who are unvaccinated, partially vaccinated, or whose vaccination status cannot be validated must also present a negative RT-PCR test taken within 48 hours of their travel to the Philippines.
They will be required to undergo facility-based quarantine until the results of their negative test are released. They may be discharged if the result is negative, but they will be subjected to home quarantine until their 14th day.
Children under the age of 12 who are unable to be vaccinated must follow the quarantine measures of their parents or guardians who are traveling with them.
Thumbnail photo from Jon Tyson on Unsplash
