On Thursday, December 2, 2021, the IATF approved new testing and quarantine protocols for international travelers coming from countries outside the red list. Starting Friday the new protocols will be effective. Fully vaccinated individuals are required to present negative results (RT-PCR) tests conducted 72 hours before leaving the country of origin. They will still undergo facility-based quarantine and take another test on the “fifth day” upon arrival when they arrive in the Philippines. Even if their result is negative, they will have to continue their quarantine at home until the 14th day. For international travelers who have already arrived and are undergoing quarantine, they shall continue to follow the protocols that were in place when they arrived, the task force added.
Countries not on the red list were only encouraged to conduct self-monitoring after receiving a negative swab test result previously. As for the partially vaccinated, unvaccinated, or whose vaccination status cannot be independently validated, they will also have to present negative RT-PCR test results taken 72 hours before leaving the country of origin. The same facility-based quarantine protocol applies but they will take their next RT-PCR on the “seventh day” instead of the fifth. No matter the result, they must undergo home quarantine until the 14th day. The IATF said on testing and quarantine of minors, the children or adolescents will follow the rules that apply to the guardian accompanying them.
