FULLY vaccinated nationals from non-visa required countries that are also on the “green” list will be allowed to enter the Philippines starting December 1, said acting presidential spokesperson Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles on Friday, November 26, 2021.
Citing Resolution 150-A of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Nograles said this new policy will be imposed until December 15, but an extension is possible depending on the outcome of the implementation.
“This is something that we are doing step by step... We will monitor and make proper adjustments kung kinakailangan (if needed), and while monitoring the implementation on the ground, if we see the need to extend it, then we will extend it,” he said in a press briefing Friday.
He said under the Resolution 150-A, the foreign nationals will be allowed entry if they are holders of passports valid for at least six months at the time of arrival and have a return or outbound ticket to their country of origin or next country of destination.
The foreigners will also be required to present proof of vaccination against the coronavirus disease (Covid-19).
They may present World Health Organization (WHO) international certificates of vaccination and prophylaxis, certificate from VaxCertPH, or national/state digital certificate of the foreign government that has accepted VaxCertPH under a reciprocal arrangement unless otherwise permitted by the IATF, said Nograles.
Fully vaccinated travelers must also have a negative result of RT-PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to departure from the country of origin.
Upon arrival, no facility-based quarantine and no on-arrival RT-PCR test will be required, but they are enjoined to self-monitor for any symptoms until the 14th day, with the first day being the date of arrival, added Nograles.
He clarified that travelers merely transiting through non-green list countries “shall not be deemed as having come from or having been to said countries if they stayed in the airport the whole time and were not cleared for entry.”
The testing and quarantine protocols of minors shall follow the testing and quarantine protocol of the parent/guardian traveling with them, the IATF resolution also stated.
For those vaccinated but failed to comply with the test-before-travel requirements, Nograles said they will be governed by the protocols for unvaccinated individuals coming from green list countries.
The protocols include:
* They shall be required to undergo facility-based quarantine until the release of a negative RT-PCR test taken on the 5th day.
* Self-monitor until the 14th day of arrival with the date of arrival being the first day.
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) said Friday, November 26, that it is ready for the reopening of the country’s border to foreign nationals starting December 1.
“We have implemented several changes para po maging ready at maging full force ang ating manpower,” said BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval, stressing they have maximized 99 new immigration officers, while another batch will be deployed in the coming days.
She said they have also resumed the use of e-gates for arriving overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who are coming home for Christmas, noting that it has helped hasten the processing of arriving passengers.
The BI as also a rapid response team while all its officers are on standby in case added manpower is needed, said Sandoval.
As of November 26, 44 countries, territories, or foreign jurisdictions have been included in the Philippines’ green list (low risk for Covid-19). (SunStar Philippines)