Starting October 8, 2021: Quarantine days shortened for fully vaccinated inbound travelers

The Philippine government has agreed to shorten the quarantine period for inbound travelers who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Starting Oct. 8, fully vaccinated travelers from “green” or “yellow” list countries need only to undergo facility-based quarantine until the release of their negative COVID-19 swab test results which will be taken on their fifth day, Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said on Friday.

Watch Sec. Roque’s statement during the Laging Handa Press Briefing below:

After which they will be required to undergo home quarantine until their 10th day of isolation.

Meanwhile, unvaccinated, partially vaccinated individuals or those whose vaccination status cannot be verified or confirmed will be required to undergo facility-based quarantine until the release of their swab test taken on their 7th day.

If the tests turn negative, they will then be required to undergo home quarantine until their 14th day.

According to previous guidelines of the IATF, inbound travelers from countries classified under the “green list” qualify for seven-day facility-based quarantine instead of 10 days.

Those coming from countries considered as “yellow risk” must undergo a 14-day quarantine of which 10 days will be spent at a quarantine facility and four days at home.

For foreign nationals, Roque said they shall be required to secure their own pre-booked accommodations of at least six days for the fully vaccinated; and at least eight days for the unvaccinated, partially vaccinated, and those with unverified and unconfirmed vaccination.

The following are documents accepted for the verification or confirmation of the vaccination status of a traveler:

-Certification from the Philippine Overseas Labor Office in the country of origin for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their spouses, parents and/or children traveling with them

IATF Resolution No. 142 states that:

A. Effective 08 October 2021, and pending further review of the testing and quarantine protocols for international arriving passengers coming from “Green” List
countries/territories/jurisdictions, the protocols for “Green” List and “Yellow” List countries/territories/jurisdictions in all ports of entry in the Philippines shall be as
follows:

1. Fully vaccinated individuals coming from either “Green” or “Yellow” List countries/territories/jurisdictions, need to undergo facility-based quarantine until the release of their negative Reverse Transcription – Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) testing taken on the fifth (5th) day. After which, they shall be required to undergo home quarantine until their tenth (10th) day, with the day of arrival being the first day. The Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ) shall ensure strict symptom monitoring while in the facility. Foreign nationals shall be required to secure their own pre-booked accommodation of at least six (6) days;
2. Unvaccinated, partially vaccinated, or individuals whose vaccination status cannot be independently verified/confirmed by Philippine authorities as valid and authentic coming from either “Green” or “Yellow” List countries/territories/jurisdictions, shall be required to undergo facility-based quarantine until the release of their negative RT-PCR testing taken on the seventh (7th) day. After which, they shall be required to undergo home quarantine until their fourteenth (14th) day, with the day of arrival being the first day. The BOQ shall ensure strict symptom monitoring while in the facility. Foreign nationals shall be required to secure their own pre-booked accommodation of at least eight (8) days;
3. For purposes of verification/confirmation of vaccination status, any of the following shall be acceptable:
   • For Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and their spouse, parent/s, and/or children traveling with them: a Certification from the Philippine Overseas Labor Office in the country of origin;
   • For Filipinos and foreigners fully vaccinated in the Philippines: either their VaxCertPH digital vaccination certificate or BOQ-issued International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICV);
   • For non-OFWs and foreigners fully vaccinated abroad: the national digital certificate of the foreign government which has accepted VaxCertPH under a reciprocal arrangement or BOQ-issued ICV.

Take a look at the IAFT resolution 142: