Expert disagrees with IATF decision to lift quarantine for fully vaxxed travelers

A medical expert on Saturday disagreed with the government's decision to lift the facility-based quarantine requirement for foreign travelers and returning overseas Filipinos (ROFs) who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. 

In Dano Tingcungco's report on 24 Oras Weekend on Saturday, Dr. Tony Leachon said the new policy, which will take effect on February 1, could trigger superspreader events.

“In other countries na ganito ang ginagawa, nagpapacheck sila ng at least man lang rapid antigen test. Alam naman natin na kahit vaccinated individuals pwede ka pa rin magkaroon ng breakthrough infections,” said Leachon, a former adviser to the National Task Force Against COVID-19. 

(In other countries that allow this, they conduct at least a rapid antigen test. We all know that even vaccinated individuals can still have breakthrough infections.)

“Yung OFW yan ay uuwi ng probinsya na mas mataas ang cases kesa sa NCR (National Capital Region) tapos mababa yung vaccination rate sila rin ang magkakasakit, the other one hindi rin tayo sure yung uuwi whether wala siyang tangay na sakit,” he added.

(OFWs will go home to the provinces with higher cases of COVID-19 than in NCR. The vaccination rates in the provinces remain low, so they might still get sick. The other thing is that we are not sure if the returning OFWs acquired the disease.)

Leachon cited the incident involving Gwyneth Chua, a returning overseas Filipino from the United States who skipped hotel quarantine to attend a party and visit restaurants in Makati City last December. 

She later tested positive for COVID-19. Her fellow party-goers and some patrons and staff at a restaurant also tested positive for the disease.

Before implementing the new policy, Leachon said the government should have set aside at least two weeks for an education campaign and other preparations.

Under the new protocols issued by the IATF, international travelers and ROFs who are fully vaccinated must present a negative RT-PCR test taken within 48 hours prior to departure from the country of origin and must self-monitor for seven days from the date of arrival.

Unvaccinated, partially vaccinated, or individuals whose vaccination status cannot be independently validated will have to present a negative RT-PCR test result taken within 48 hours before leaving their country of origin.

They will also have to undergo facility-based quarantine until the release of their negative RT-PCR test taken on the fifth day. After this, they will have to undergo home quarantine until the 14th day, with the date of their arrival being the first day.

“Napagkaisahan ng IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases) na luwagan, alam naman natin na dahil sa bakuna ay gumanda ang ating general conditions at kahit sa ibang bansa nakita naman na hindi na kailangan magpatest basta fully vaccinated and especially if boosted,” Health Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje said.

(The IATF has decided to loosen the restrictions because, thanks to vaccines, our general condition has improved, and it has been established in other countries that there is no need to be tested as long as you are completely vaccinated, especially if boosted.)

Cabotaje added this will also help open the country's doors for a faster economic recovery.

The Bureau of Immigration said it was ready to implement the latest directive from the IATF. — Richa Noriega/VBL, GMA News