Concepcion wants home quarantine for vaccinated US, Canada travelers

Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion is urging the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) to replace the current facility-based quarantine with a home-based testing and quarantine setup for fully vaccinated travelers arriving from North America.

Concepcion believes the lengthy quarantine period is deterring many travelers from the US and Canada from visiting the Philippines for the holiday season.

Under his proposal, travelers would be tested 48 hours before departure and again upon arrival, with options for home quarantine if they reside within the Greater Manila area or a quarantine hotel if they do not.

This would significantly reduce the quarantine duration compared to the current five-day facility-based quarantine required for travelers from non-green list countries like the US and Canada.

Concepcion argues that easing these protocols will not only save travelers money and allow for family reunions but also stimulate economic activity as the holiday spending season begins.

He is collaborating with Philippine Airlines and relevant government agencies to align testing laboratories and manage potential increases in testing demand.

A recent meeting with officials from the DFA, DOTr, US Ambassador to the Philippines, and airline representatives discussed solutions like frontloading the testing process and expanding international gateways to alleviate airport congestion.

US Ambassador Jose Romualdez noted that most US-based Filipinos are vaccinated and eager to visit but are concerned about the existing quarantine rules.