Manila Bulletin
Binay backs 7-day quarantine for fully vaccinated OFWs, 'Balikbayans'
The Department of Tourism (DOT) proposed shortening the quarantine period for fully vaccinated Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and balikbayans from 10 days to seven days.
Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat stated that the current protocols do not differentiate between vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals, prompting the proposal.
Senator Nancy Binay supports the DOT's plan to shorten the quarantine for vaccinated OFWs and returning Filipinos.
However, Binay disagrees with providing a 'green lane' for foreign tourists, citing concerns about the Philippines' readiness to open its borders.
She believes that while a shortened quarantine for OFWs and balikbayans may be adopted, the entry of foreign tourists is a separate issue that requires further discussion and guideline drafting.
The proposal has been presented to the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) and will be discussed with health experts.
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The Department of Tourism (DOT) has proposed a 'green lane' system to the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) to allow fully vaccinated foreign tourists entry into the Philippines.
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Philippine Airlines (PAL) supports the Department of Tourism's proposed "green lane" policy, which would allow fully vaccinated international travelers shorter quarantine periods.
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The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is considering and backs the use of a single-dose COVID-19 vaccine for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), including seafarers, to facilitate their immediate deployment abroad.
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Senator Christopher "Bong" Go urged vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. to prioritize overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and seafarers with vaccines acceptable in their destination countries, provided they present their deployment order or contract.
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