The Philippines on Friday updated its COVID-19 testing and quarantine protocols for international travelers as the hyper-contagious Omicron coronavirus variant sweeps the world.
Travelers coming from Red List countries and territories or those identified as high-risk for COVID-19 will be allowed entry to the subject to new quarantine and testing protocols. Previously, travelers from areas included in the Red List were prohibited entry from the Philippines.
"The inbound international travel of all persons coming from or who have been to 'Red List' countries, jurisdictions, territories within the last 14 days prior to arrival to any port of the Philippines shall be allowed," Cabinet Sec. Karlo Nograles said.
Here's a guide to the updated COVID-19 testing and quarantine protocols for international travelers:
For passengers arriving from Green List countries
Fully vaccinated
1. Negative RT-PCR test taken within 48 hours prior to departure from the country of origin
2. Upon arrival, they shall no longer be required to undergo mandatory facility-based quarantine
3. Self-monitor for any signs or symptoms for 7 days with the first day being the date of arrival
Partially vaccinated, unvaccinated, vaccination status cannot be independently verified
1. Negative RT-PCR test taken within 48 hours prior to departure from the country of origin
2. Required to undergo mandatory facility-based quarantine until the release of their negative RT-PCR test taken on the fifth day
3. Self-monitor for any signs or symptoms for 14 days with the first day being the date of arrival.
For passengers arriving from Green List countries
Fully vaccinated
1. Negative RT-PCR test taken within 48 hours prior to departure from the country of origin
2. Required to undergo mandatory facility-based quarantine until the release of their negative RT-PCR test taken on the fifth day
3. Once with a negative result, they may be released for completion of home quarantine up to the seventh day from the date of arrival
Partially vaccinated, unvaccinated, vaccination status cannot be independently verified
1. Negative RT-PCR test taken within 48 hours prior to departure from the country of origin
2. Required to undergo mandatory facility-based quarantine until the release of their negative RT-PCR test taken on the seventh day
3. Once with a negative result, they may be released for completion of home quarantine up to the 14th day from the date of arrival
For passengers arriving from Red List countries
Fully vaccinated
1. Negative RT-PCR test taken within 48 hours prior to departure from the country of origin
2. Required to undergo mandatory facility-based quarantine until the release of their negative RT-PCR test taken on the seventh day
3. Once with a negative result, they may be released for completion of home quarantine up to the 14th day from the date of arrival
Partially vaccinated, unvaccinated, vaccination status cannot be independently verified
1. Negative RT-PCR test taken within 48 hours prior to departure from the country of origin
2. Required to undergo mandatory facility-based quarantine until the release of their negative RT-PCR test taken on the seventh day
3. They may be discharged only upon completion of a 10-day facility-based quarantine regardless of a negative RT-PCR result and shall observe home quarantine until the 14th day with the date of arrival being the first day
Here are the travel classifications as approved by the Inter-Agency Task Force on COVID-19 Response for Jan. 16-31:
Red List (High risk)
Antigua and Barbuda
Curacao
Malta
Puerto Rico
Spain
Aruba
French Guiana
Mayotte
Saudi Arabia
U.S. Virgin Islands
Canada
Iceland
Mozambique
Green List (Low risk)
Bangladesh
Benin
Bhutan
British Virgin Islands
China (Mainland)
C'ote d'Ivoire
Djibouti
Equatorial Guinea
Falkland Islands
The Gambia
Ghana
Guinea
Hong Kong
India
Indonesia
Japan
Kosovo
Krygyzstan
Montserrat
Morocco
Niger
Oman
Pakisitan
Paraguay
Saba
Saint Barthelemy
Senegal
Sierra Leone
Sint Eustatius
Taiwan
Timor Leste
Uganda
Yellow List (Moderate Risk)
All other countries, territories, jurisdictions not listed above
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