Gov't allows entry of Pinoy travelers from Red List countries

The Philippines has lifted the ban on entry of Filipino travelers from Red List countries, or countries with high risk of COVID-19 infection, from January 16 to 31, Malacañang said Friday.

In a press briefing, acting presidential spokesperson Karlo Nograles said travelers from Red List countries who are fully vaccinated are required to do the following:

• present a negative RT-PCR COVID-19 test 48 hours prior to departure
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• undergo a facility based quarantine and subjected to an RT-PCR COVID-19 test on the seventh day and
• complete the rest of the 14-day quarantine at home if they tested negative in RT-PCR COVID-19 test

Countries and/or areas under the Red List from January 16 to January 31 include:

• Antigua and Barbuda
• Aruba
• Canada
• Curacao
• French Guiana
• Iceland
• Malta
• Mayotte
• Mozambique
• Puerto Rico

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• Saudi Arabia
• Somalia
• Spain and
• US Virgin Islands.

Nograles, on the other hand, said unvaccinated travelers from Red List countries are mandated to:

• present a negative RT-PCR COVID-19 test 48 hours prior to departure
• undergo a facility-based quarantine and subjected to an RT-PCR COVID-19 test on the seventh day
• stay in the facility-based quarantine for 10 days regardless of RT-PCR COVID-19 test result, and
• complete the rest of the 14-day quarantine at home if they tested negative in RT-PCR COVID-19 test

"We are doing this (revised policy) to make our measures responsive and manage our quarantine facilities [better]," Nograles added.

Nograles made the announcement a day after the Philippines recorded 34,021 new COVID-19 cases in a day, the highest since the pandemic hit the country in March 2020.

In the same Palace briefing, Nograles also said that the government has lifted the ban on the entry of foreigners provided that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and subject to additional protocols.

"Beginning February 16, 2022, proof of full vaccination shall be made a requirement for entry of all foreign nationals allowed to enter the Philippines," Nograles said.

Nograles, however, clarified that this does not include tourists.

"Hindi pa po natin binubuksan ang ating bansa [We are not yet opening our country] to international tourists," he said.  —KBK, GMA News