The Philippines will implement stricter quarantine and COVID-19 testing protocols for international travelers arriving in the country starting today, December 3, Malacañang said, as the country tightens its pandemic response measures in light of the new Omicron variant.
These are the new quarantine and testing requirements for international arrivals in the Philippines:
Fully vaccinated individuals traveling to the Philippines will be required to undergo facility-based quarantine even with a negative COVID-19 test result, according to Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles. They will also be required to take an RT-PCR test on the fifth day with the day of arrival as the first day—this is separate from the required RT-PCR testing within 72 hours prior to departure from the country of origin. "Regardless of a negative result, they shall be required to undergo home quarantine up to the 14th day from the date of arrival," Nograles also noted. The policy shall apply to fully vaccinated travelers coming from countries under the Green and Yellow Lists or low risk and moderate risk areas for COVID-19, respectively.
For those who are unvaccinated, partially vaccinated, or whose vaccination status cannot be validated, they shall be required a negative RT-PCR test conducted within 72 hours prior to departure from the country of origin. Upon arrival in the Philippines, Nograles said such travelers would be required to undergo facility-based quarantine with an RT-PCR test done on the seventh day, with the date of arrival being the first day. They will also be required to undergo home quarantine up to the 14th day from the date of arrival despite a negative test result.
Testing and quarantine protocols of minors will follow that of the parent or guardian traveling with them, regardless of the minor's vaccination status and country of origin.
For Filipinos coming from countries under the Red List or areas at high risk of COVID-19, Nograles said they would only be allowed to enter the Philippines via government-initiated or non-government repatriations. The government also limited their entry points to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport or Clark International Airport only. Quarantine and testing protocols will be observed, Nograles said.
The tightening of COVID-19 restrictions for travelers was prompted by the threat of the new Omicron variant that was first reported in South Africa and has since been detected in a number of countries, including the United States. While the Philippines has yet to report any case of the Omicron variant, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said its arrival was only a "matter of when."
Other measures the Philippines has adopted to respond to the new Omicron variant threat include the postponement of its tourism reopening to foreign travelers, and the approval of booster shots to all fully vaccinated adults.
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