Omicron: Testing and quarantine protocols if you are traveling to the PH

The Philippines temporarily suspended testing and quarantine protocols for countries/jurisdictions/territories classified as “green” starting Monday (Nov. 29) until Dec. 15, Malacañang said on Sunday (Nov. 28).

The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) approved the revised guidelines, Cabinet Secretary and acting Presidential Spokesperson Karlo Nograles said in a press statement.

Green list destinations are classified as “low-risk” based on disease incidence rate.

Except for countries classified as “red” or those at “high-risk” which are banned from entry, testing, and quarantine protocols for all inbound international travelers in all ports of entry will comply with the testing and quarantine protocols for the “yellow” list (moderate risk).

Based on the IATF Resolution No. 149-A, for those coming from countries/territories/jurisdictions under the Yellow List:

1. For fully vaccinated individuals:
   1. A negative RT-PCR test conducted within 72 hrs prior to departure from the country of origin will be required. Upon arrival, they shall undergo facility-based quarantine with a 3rd day RT-PCR test, with the date of arrival being the first day. Upon release of a negative RT-PCR test, they may be discharged from facility quarantine. After which, they are enjoined to self-monitor up to the 14th day from the date of arrival; or
   2. If without a negative pre-departure test, they shall undergo facility-based quarantine with a fifth (5th) day RT-PCR test, with the date of arrival being the first day. Upon the release of a negative RT-PCR test, they may be discharged from facility quarantine. After which, they shall be required to undergo home
      quarantine until the 10th day from the date of arrival.
2. Individuals who are unvaccinated, partially vaccinated, or whose vaccination status cannot be independently validated are to undergo facility-based quarantine with an RT-PCR test done on the seventh (7th) day, with the date of arrival being the first day. Upon the release of a negative RT-PCR test, individuals shall be required to undergo home quarantine until the fourteenth (14th) day from the date of arrival.

The IATF also suspended Resolution No. 150-A (Series of 2021) providing for the entry of fully vaccinated nationals of non-visa-required countries from green list countries/jurisdictions/territories.

The Department of Health is directed to ensure health system capacity is prepared to address the increase of COVID-19 cases if any, while the sub-technical working group on data analytics must begin preparing models to show the potential impacts of the Omicron variant.