Immigration update: Philippines | Lifting of quarantine requirements for fully vaccinated individuals
The Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) released Resolution No. 159, which suspends the classification of countries/territories/jurisdictions as “Green,” “Yellow,” and “Red,” and the management of entry for fully vaccinated individuals entering the Philippines.
Who will be affected?
a. Arriving Passengers at any of the Philippines international ports.
b. Fully vaccinated individuals.
c. Arriving foreign nationals of non-visa required countries under Executive Order No. 408 (s.1960), as amended.
Impact and assessment
Effective 01 February 2022, the classification of countries/territories/jurisdictions as “Green,” “Yellow,” and “Red,” shall be suspended. The entry, testing, and quarantine protocols for arriving Filipinos and foreign nationals allowed entry into the country, regardless of their country of origin, shall be determined based on their vaccination status.
Accepted Proof of Vaccination
International passengers must have the following proof of vaccination against COVID-19 recognized under existing IATF regulations:
• World Health Organization International Certificates of Vaccination and Prophylaxis; or
• VaxCertPH; or
• National/state digital certificate of the foreign government which has accepted VaxCertPH under a reciprocal arrangement unless otherwise permitted by the IATF.
Quarantine and/or monitoring requirements
Fully vaccinated international passengers shall be required to:
1. Present a negative Reverse Transcription – Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test taken within forty-eight hours (48hrs) prior to departure from the country of origin. Upon arrival, they shall no longer be required to:
a. Observe mandatory facility-based quarantine but shall self-monitor for any signs or symptoms for (7) days with the first day being the date of arrival; and
b. Report to the local government unit of destination upon the manifestation of symptoms, if any.
For unvaccinated, partially vaccinated, or individuals whose vaccination status cannot be independently validated, they shall be required to:
1. Present a negative RT-PCR test taken within forty-eight hours (48hrs) prior to departure from the country of origin;
2. Undergo facility-based quarantine until the release of their negative RT-PCR test taken on the fifth (5th) day; and
3. Undergo home quarantine until their fourteenth (14th) day, with the date of arrival being the first day.
Full Vaccinated Foreign Nationals from Non-Visa Required Countries
Effective 10 February 2022, fully vaccinated nationals of non-visa required countries under Executive Order No. 408 (s.1960), as amended (see list here: Guidelines on the Entry of Temporary Visitors to the Philippines (dfa.gov.ph)), shall be allowed to enter the Philippines, subject to the following conditions:
1. Holders of passports valid for at least six (6) months at the time of arrival, and with return or outbound ticket to their country of origin or next country of destination;
2. Must have the following accepted proof of vaccination against COVID-19 recognized under existing IATF regulations; Children below eighteen (18) years of age are exempted from the requirement of full vaccination and providing proof of vaccination status prior to boarding.
3. Shall observe the existing testing and monitoring protocols in place for fully vaccinated international arriving passengers.
Fully vaccinated nationals shall not be included in the arrival quota set by the Department of Transportation and its One-Stop-Shop.
Implementation
Effective from 01 February 2022 & 10 February 2022 until further notice.
Santa Fe Analysis
We are monitoring any new updates closely and will provide additional information once available.
Should you have any questions, please contact the following or your respective case consultants.
Joanna Caraig
Immigration Manager
Santa Fe Relocation
Tel.: +63 917 848 6830
Email: Joanna.Caraig@staging.santaferelo.com
Robert Day
Group Head of Immigration Operations
Santa Fe Relocation
D: +44 7990 021125
Email: Robert.Day@staging.santaferelo.com
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