DOH eyes scrapping of COVID-19 testing for Filipinos who got fully vaccinated abroad

The Department of Health (DOH) on Friday said it has recommended the scrapping of the COVID-19 testing requirement for inbound Filipinos who were fully vaccinated abroad.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire made clear, however, that nothing is final yet as authorities study how to verify the vaccination status of incoming travelers.

The government earlier shortened the mandatory quarantine period and removed the COVID-19 testing requirement for fully vaccinated individuals who got their shots in the Philippines.

Under the revised guidelines, fully vaccinated incoming travelers will only need to quarantine for seven days and will only be required to take a COVID-19 test if they manifest symptoms.

“Ganyan din po ang ating nirerekomenda for those vaccinated abroad na mga Pilipino na babalik dito pero hindi pa po natin ‘yan na naifa-finalize (That is also our recommendation for those Filipinos vaccinated abroad who will return to the country, but that has not been finalized yet),” Vergeire said in a briefing.

“Ang ating mga eksperto, ang lagi naman nilang sinasabi sa atin na kahit wala kang gawing test, basta i-isolate o i-quarantine mo ang isang pasyente o isang incoming traveler, you're good (Our experts always say that even if you don’t test, for as long as you isolate or quarantine a patient or incoming traveler, you’re good),” she added.

Vergeire also assured the public that the government is being cautious in loosening restrictions for fully vaccinated individuals.

Only 1.8 million individuals in the Philippines have been fully vaccinated as of June 14. The government aims to inoculate 50 million to 70 million people this year. -MDM, GMA News