PH Eases Quarantine Restrictions

 Defers Decision For US, EU, Canada Yet Again

17 November 2021

The Philippine Government eases quarantine restrictions to Green Listed Countries, according to the latest issuance by the National Task Force for Emerging and Infectious Diseases, approved by the President today.

Passengers traveling from Green Listed countries to the Philippine will no longer stay at quarantine hotels effective today.

Yellow listed countries such as the United States, Canada, European Union, Australia, and New Zealand, together with other countries not on the green or red lists are still required to undergo 5 day mandatory quarantine at the hotel of their choice. Previously, they are required to undergo facility based quarantine for 14 days, and take RT-PCR test on the seventh day of their arrival.

IATF said covid19 infections on these yellow listed countries remained high and the risk of infections to Filipinos severe, based on infection data presented by the Bureau of Quarantine on the arriving Filipinos from yellow list countries, including the US, Canada, and the EU.

Meanwhile, the IATF approved the recommendation of the Department of Foreign Affairs for the national COVID-19 vaccination certificates of Australia, Czech Republic, Georgia, India, Japan, The Netherlands, United Kingdom, Turkey, and Samoa to be accepted or recognized for purposes of arrival quarantine protocols, as well as for interzonal/intrazonal movement.

Fully vaccinated Filipinos coming from Green List areas need only to present a negative RT-PCR test result taken within 72 hours prior to departure from the country of origin, and will no longer be required to undergo a facility-based quarantine.

Another option is for them to take an RT-PCR test upon arrival, and undergo a facility-based quarantine until after the release of a negative test result.

Fully vaccinated foreign nationals allowed to enter the Philippines from Green List areas are also required to present a negative RT-PCR test result within 72 hours prior to departure from the origin country and will no longer be required to undergo a facility-based quarantine upon arrival.

Currently, only Filipinos, balikbayan, and resident foreigners with valid and existing visas are allowed to enter the country.