Philippines requires travelers who received COVID-19 vaccine abroad to undergo testing, quarantine

Persons who have been vaccinated against COVID-19 abroad must still undergo screening for the virus and quarantine upon arrival in the Philippines, the government’s pandemic task force said.

In a resolution approved on Tuesday, the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) said it made the decision given the “current limited knowledge as to the effect of available vaccines on the transmissibility of COVID-19.”

Several countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, and China already have started vaccinations in a bid to reduce the spread of the virus that has so far killed 1.86 million people worldwide.

The Philippines is expected to begin its immunization program within the first half of the year.

The IATF, meanwhile, exempted foreign diplomats and members of international organizations from the travel restrictions due to the new coronavirus variant that was first detected in the United Kingdom.

Still, these individuals must undergo RT-PCR test upon arrival and 14-day quarantine. Also exempted from the entry ban are those for medical and emergency cases, including their medical escorts, if any.

Filipinos coming from countries/jurisdictions where travel restrictions are in place, or who have been to the said areas in the last 14 days must strictly observe the 14-day facility-based quarantine period save for highly exceptional and/or medical reasons upon the determination of the Department of Health.

Covering 21 countries, the travel restrictions will last until January 15. — RSJ, GMA News