Returning Filipinos may present negative COVID-19 antigen results

The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) issued a resolution number 164-A that consists of the amended entry, testing, and quarantine protocols for Filipino nationals arriving from abroad under the following provisions of Resolution 160-A, dated 03 February 2022.

The resolution states the following:

The entry, testing, and quarantine protocols for Filipino nationals arriving from abroad under the following provisions of Resolution 160-A, dated 03 February 2022, are hereby amended as follows:

A. Section A(1) shall be amended to read as follows:

Fully-vaccinated Filipino Nationals

1. Present a negative Reverse Transcription – Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test taken within forty-eight (48) hours, or a negative laboratory based Antigen test taken within twenty-four (24) hours, prior to the date and time of departure from the country of origin/first port of embarkation in a continuous travel to the Philippines, excluding lay-overs; provided, that he/she has not left the airport premises or has not been admitted into another country during such lay-over.”

B. Section B(A) shall be amended to read as follows:

Unvaccinated, Partially Unvaccinated, or Filipino Nationals Whose Vaccination Status Cannot be Independently Validated

1. Present a negative Reverse Transcription – Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test taken within forty-eight (48) hours, or a negative laboratory based Antigen test taken within twenty-four (24) hours, prior to the date and time of departure from the country of origin/first port of embarkation in a continuous travel to the Philippines, excluding lay-overs; provided, that he/she has not left the airport premises or has not been admitted into another country during such lay-over.”

Source: https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/downloads/2022/03mar/20220310-IATF-RESO-164-A-RRD.pdf