RT-PCR test no longer needed for fully vaccinated, boosted inbound travelers

Beginning today, May 30, 2022. fully vaccinated Filipinos and foreigners entering the Philippines will no longer be needed to present a negative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test.

The new procedure was included in the resolution authorized by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) on Thursday, according to acting Deputy Presidential Spokesperson and Communications Undersecretary Michel Kristian Ablan at an online press briefing.

Inbound travelers who are 18 years old or older and have had at least one booster vaccine against the COVID-19 do not need to present an RT-PCR test, according to IATF-EID Resolution 168. (Covid-19).

Those aged 12 to 17 who have had two Covid-19 vaccination shots, as well as those aged under 12 who are accompanied by fully vaccinated or boosted parents or guardians, are also exempt from the pre-departure RT-PCR requirement.

Unvaccinated passengers

Travelers who are unvaccinated or partially unvaccinated or have unverified vaccination status must present a negative RT-PCR test taken within 48 hours or a negative laboratory-based rapid antigen negative test result administered and certified by a healthcare professional taken within 24 hours prior to the date and time of departure from the country of origin or first port of embarkation in a continuous travel to the Philippines.

They are also required to undergo facility-based quarantine until the release of their negative RT-PCR test taken on the fifth day from the date of their arrival in the Philippines. They must also undergo home quarantine until their 14th day in the country.

The relaxed protocol likewise applies to Filipinos traveling to the Philippines, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said Friday.

In connection with the IATF resolution 168, the Philippine Embassy in Oman have issued an advisory PRE-DEPARTURE REQUIREMENTS FROM THE POINT OF ORIGIN (MUSCAT) TO THE PHILIPPINES. Please refer below

Many of our kababayan express their disappointment when the IATF Resolution 168 came out. Because the process in Onehealthpass asks the users to upload RT-PCR test. However, at this moment. One Health Pass updated their system to reflect the said protocol.

Fully vaccinated individual + booster

Fully vaccinated (RT-PCR required)