IATF changes testing, quarantine protocols for arriving passengers
The Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) has approved new testing and quarantine protocols for arriving passengers from countries, territories, and jurisdictions in the “green” and “yellow” lists starting today Dec 3.
Ninoy Aquino International Airport
The “green” list is composed of areas with a low risk of COVID-19 infection, while the “yellow” list is made up of destinations with a moderate risk of COVID-19 infection.
In a press statement, Acting Presidential Spokesperson Karlo Nograles said that for fully vaccinated individuals, they shall be required to have a negative RT-PCR test conducted within 72 hours prior to departure from the country of origin. Nograles furthered that upon arrival in the country, they shall undergo facility-based quarantine with an RT-PCR test taken on the fifth day. Regardless of a negative result, passengers are required to undergo home quarantine up to the 14th day from the date of arrival.
Meanwhile, those who are unvaccinated, partially vaccinated, or whose vaccination status cannot be validated shall be required a negative RT-PCR test conducted within 72 hours prior to departure from their country of origin. Upon arrival, the passengers shall undergo facility-based quarantine with an RT-PCR test done on the seventh day, with the date of arrival being the first day. Regardless of a negative result, they must undergo home quarantine up to the 14th day from the date of arrival.
Testing and quarantine protocols of minors shall follow the testing and quarantine protocol of the parent/guardian traveling with them, regardless of the former’s vaccination status and country of origin. International passengers who have already arrived and are currently undergoing quarantine shall continue with the testing and quarantine protocols in place at the time of their arrival.
Filipinos from “red” list areas allowed entry via government-initiated or non-government repatriations, and Bayanihan Flights shall only be allowed to deplane via the Ninoy Aquino International Airport and/or Clark International Airport.
The Department of Transportation, through its attached agencies, must ensure the compliance of airlines with this directive. Upon arrival, the passenger must follow the testing and quarantine protocols as prescribed under IATF Resolution No. 149-A.
Meanwhile, the IATF also downgraded the Alert Level classification in Apayao to Alert Level 2, effective Dec 3 until December 15.
This, after IATF amended the metrics for determining Alert Level classifications of provinces, highly urbanized cities, and independent component cities.
The changes include:
• Removing the One-Week Growth Rate as a metric for escalation from Alert Level 1 to 2;
• The escalation of areas under Alert Level 1 to 2 if either case classification or total COVID-19 bed utilization increases to moderate risk or higher;
• The escalation of areas under Alert Level 2 to 3 if both case classification and total COVID-19 bed utilization are at moderate risk, or if case classification is at high to critical risk.
Source: Philippine News Agency and Official Gazette
