Fully vaccinated inbound passengers who were inoculated in the Philippines will now only quarantine for seven days upon arrival, the government announced Friday (June 4).
Based on Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) Resolution No. 119, an individual is considered fully vaccinated two weeks after receiving his last COVID-19 vaccine dose using a vaccine approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
The said passengers are also exempted from mandatory swab testing upon arrival unless they exhibit COVID-19 symptoms during the mandated quarantine period.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said the new policy does not cover foreign nationals, overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), and Filipinos who have been fully vaccinated abroad.
“They have to undergo the regular quarantine and testing protocols, which is, to complete a 10-day facility-based quarantine,” Roque said.
Lockdown, repatriation
The IATF approved the recommendation placing Davao City under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ), and General Santos City’s escalation to general community quarantine (GCQ) beginning June 5 until June 20, 2021.
The IATF also exempted non-Philippine government repatriation from travel restrictions imposed on India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates.
“In the case of non-Philippine government repatriation, all Filipino repatriates from the countries with travel restrictions must present a negative RT-PCR test result taken within 48 hours prior to boarding the aircraft or vessel,” Roque said.
“The IATF likewise required all repatriates from countries with travel restrictions in effect to be placed on a strict 14-day facility-based quarantine from the date of arrival in the Philippines, with the date of arrival being the first day,” he added.
Meanwhile, Special Resident Retiree’s visa holders can enter the Philippines “without the need of an entry exemption document.”
Licensure exams, horseracing
The government “provisionally approved” the requested professional licensure examinations for July to September 2021.
“The PRC is requested to submit the list of venues and dates of examinations to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and the Philippine National Police Joint Task Force COVID Shield for the mobilization of necessary resources to ensure the safe conduct of examinations,” the resolution read.
The Philippine Racing Commission was likewise allowed to have two additional racing days beginning July 1. -Report from Mela Lesmoras/AG-jlo
Watch the announcement here:
