Interim testing & quarantine protocols

23 Nov 2021 / Philippines

The following interim testing and quarantine protocols to be observed for international arriving passengers in all ports of entry in the Philippines beginning 22 November 2021:

FROM COUNTRIES/TERRITORIES/JURISDICTIONS UNDER THE GREEN LIST:

  • For fully vaccinated Filipinos:
    a. Facility-based quarantine with on-arrival Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) testing until the release of their negative results. After which, the individual is enjoined to self-monitor until the 14th day of their arrival with the date of arrival being the first day;
    or
    b. If with a negative test taken within 72 hours prior to the departure from the country of origin, no facility-based quarantine, and no on-arrival RT-PCR test is required.

  • For fully vaccinated foreigners, a negative RT-PCR test shall be required to be taken within 72 hours prior to departure from the country of origin. Upon arrival, no facility-based quarantine and no on-arrival RT-PCR test will be further required but the passenger is enjoined to self-monitor for any symptoms until the 14th day with the first day being the date of arrival.

  • For unvaccinated, partially vaccinated, individuals whose vaccination status cannot be independently validated, and those vaccinated but failed to comply with the above test-before-travel requirements, facility-based quarantine until the release of a negative RT-PCR test taken on the 5th day and self-monitor until the 14th day of arrival with the date of arrival being the first day.

  • All passengers, whether Filipinos or foreigners, merely transiting through a non-Green List countries/territories/jurisdictions shall not be deemed as having come from or having been to said countries/territories/jurisdictions if they stayed in the airport the whole time and were not cleared for entry into such countries/territories/jurisdictions by its immigration authorities.

FROM COUNTRIES/TERRITORIES/JURISDICTIONS UNDER THE YELLOW LIST:

  • For fully vaccinated individuals:
    a. A negative RT-PCR test conducted within 72 hrs prior to departure from the country of origin will be required. Upon arrival, they shall undergo facility-based quarantine with a 3rd day RT-PCR test, with the date of arrival being the first day. Upon release of a negative RT-PCR test, they may be discharged from facility quarantine.
    After which, they are enjoined to self-monitor up to the 14th day from the date of arrival;
    or
    b. If without a negative pre-departure test, they shall undergo facility-based quarantine with a 5th day RT-PCR test, with the date of arrival being the first day. Upon the release of a negative RT-PCR test, they may be discharged from facility quarantine. After which, they shall be required to undergo home quarantine until the 10th day from the date of arrival.

  • Individuals who are unvaccinated, partially vaccinated, or whose vaccination status cannot be independently validated are to undergo facility-based quarantine with an RT-PCR test done on the 7th day, with the date of arrival being the first day. Upon the release of a negative RT-PCR test, individuals shall be required to undergo home quarantine until the 14th day from the date of arrival.

INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL OF ALL PERSONS, REGARDLESS OF VACCINATION STATUS, COMING FROM OR WHO HAVE BEEN TO “RED LIST” COUNTRIES/TERRITORIES/JURISDICTIONS WITHIN THE LAST 14 DAYS PRIOR TO ARRIVAL TO ANY PORT OF THE PHILIPPINES SHALL NOT BE ALLOWED.

  • Only Filipinos returning to the country via government-initiated repatriation, non-government-initiated repatriation, and Bayanihan Flights may be allowed entry subject to a ten-day facility-based quarantine upon arrival with RT-PCR testing on the 7th day with Day 1 being the day of arrival.
  • Notwithstanding a negative test result, the arriving traveler shall complete the minimum facility-based quarantine period of 10 days. Upon the completion of the mandated 10-day facility based quarantine and presentation of a negative RT-PCR result, they may be discharged from the facility.
  • Passengers, whether Filipinos or foreigners, merely transiting through Red List countries/territories/jurisdictions shall not be deemed as having come from or having been to said country/territory/jurisdiction if they stayed in the airport the whole time and were not cleared for entry into such country/territory/jurisdiction by its immigration authorities. Upon arrival in the Philippines, passengers who merely transited through a Red List country/territory/jurisdiction shall comply with existing testing and quarantine protocols.

The testing and quarantine protocols of minors shall follow the testing and quarantine protocol of the parent/guardian traveling with them, regardless of the minor’s vaccination status, and country of origin.

The Bureau of Quarantine shall ensure strict symptom monitoring while the passengers are in facility quarantine.

All individuals undergoing facility-based quarantine at the date of implementation of this provision may retroactively avail of the same.

The foregoing testing and quarantine protocols shall be subject to special protocols approved by the IATF or the Office of the President for certain classes of travelers or ports of origin. The inbound travel of foreign nationals shall be subject to visa categories allowed entry in the Philippines, and immigration laws, rules, and regulations such that the Commissioner of Immigration shall have the exclusive prerogative to decide on waiver or recall of exclusion orders for all foreign nationals authorized entry under relevant IATF resolutions, subject to regular reporting to the IATF Secretariat at the end of each calendar month.

For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in the Philippines, contact GAC Philippines at [email protected]

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