IATF amends travel requirements for vaccinated Filipinos and foreign nationals

The Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases had approved on May 26, 2022 Resolution No. 168, series of 2022, which includes provisions on official list of valid proof of vaccination status that Filipinos and foreign nationals may present as a travel requirement.

In an interview, head of the Bureau of Quarantine Davao Office, Dr. Noreen Espero, said that all international travelers must register for the One Health Pass and present proof of full vaccination status. She said that the resolution eliminated the need to provide a negative RT-PCR test prior to departure, saying, “Ang bago dito, before kasi there were three requirements: One Health Pass, proof of vaccination and negative RT-PCR, but now hindi na siya kailangan provided that the traveler is fully vaccinated.” (What’s new here is that before there were three requirements:  One Health Pass, proof of vaccination and negative RT-PCR, but now the last one is no longer required provided that the traveler is fully vaccinated.)

The resolution scraps the need for negative RT-PCR results within 48 hours prior to departure as long as Filipinos or foreign nationals can provide proof that they are fully vaccinated – with the second dose having been administered at least 14 days before departure from the point of origin. Vaccinated individuals may present an electronic copy of their “VaxCertPH, World Health Organization International Certification of Vaccination (ICV) and Prophylaxis, National or State manual/ digital vaccination certificate of the country/foreign government, and other proof of vaccination permitted by the IATF” as proof of their vaccination status.

On the other hand, Filipinos who are not fully vaccinated or whose vaccination status cannot be validated will still need to present a negative RT-PCR test result. They shall also be subjected to a facility-based quarantine period and may only be released after a negative result from the RT-PCR test conducted on the fifth day of arrival. However, foreign nationals with the same vaccination status will not be allowed entry and will be deported. Unvaccinated children, aged 12 and below, will follow the entry and quarantine protocols enforced on their parents or travel companions.

In any case, travelers who are detected to manifest Covid symptoms by the BOQ will be isolated and undergo a period of facility-based quarantine. Dr. Espero said, “We don’t know if this will change anytime soon but currently, wala pang swabbing sa mga airports.”  

With this, the Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ) is urging Filipinos to register online on the One Health Pass website and apply for a VaxCertPh. As of May 2022, VaxCertPh had been recognized by 80 countries.  Those who wish to apply for a VaxCertPH can register online at: https://vaxcert.doh.gov.ph/

Dabawenyos who wish to travel abroad (OFWs, Seafarers, etc.) with an ICV can book an appointment with BOQ Davao Office through the website: www.icv.boq.ph.  CIO