Beginning Feb. 16, foreign nationals entering the country must show proof of full vaccination against COVID-19, according to the government’s pandemic task force.
The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) also requires all international travelers to present a negative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test taken within 48 hours prior to departure from their country of origin.
Only a limited number of foreigners have been allowed here so far and foreign tourists are still barred from entering the country.
Among those allowed entry are foreign nationals with long-term visas as well as the foreign spouses and children accompanying Filipinos.
They would be considered fully vaccinated at least two weeks after receiving a second dose in a two-dose series, or at least two weeks after receiving a single-dose vaccine, the IATF said.
The vaccines administered must have any of the following criteria: inclusion in the emergency use listing of the World Health Organization (WHO) or emergency use authorization list of the Food and Drug Administration, or issuance of a compassionate special permit from that agency.
Foreigners could present as proof of vaccination a WHO International Certificate of Vaccination and Prophylaxis, a VaxCertPH certificate, or a digital certificate issued by a foreign government which has accepted VaxCertPH under a reciprocal arrangement. That certificate may also be deemed valid if it is already recognized by the IATF.
Exceptions to presenting proof of full vaccination are passengers below 18 years old, those medically unable to receive a vaccine as certified by a competent public health authority, and foreign diplomats and their qualified dependents.
The IATF said the Department of Transportation had advised airlines to require foreign nationals traveling to the Philippines to show proof of vaccination before boarding their flights.
The task force has lifted the restriction on the entry of travelers from red-list countries, or those at high risk for COVID-19, but would require them to undergo mandatory quarantine upon arrival.
Under the previous rules, travelers from red-list countries were barred entry except for Filipinos arriving via repatriation flights.
Now these passengers may be allowed entry if they flew out of those destinations within the last 14 days before their arrival here.
Those who are fully vaccinated will be placed on facility quarantine upon arrival and administered an RT-PCR test on the seventh day of quarantine.
They may be released upon testing negative, but must continue home isolation up to the 14th day from their arrival.
Passengers who are unvaccinated, partially vaccinated, or whose vaccination status cannot be validated may be discharged from facility quarantine upon completing 10 days, regardless of the results of their RT-PCR tests which will be administered on their seventh day.
They will will be on home quarantine up to their 14th day from arrival. (©Philippine Daily Inquirer 2021)
