Villanueva urges review of quarantine rules for vaccinated Filipinos abroad

Senator Joel Villanueva urged the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on Emerging Infectious Diseases to review quarantine guidelines for Filipinos and OFWs vaccinated abroad.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque clarified that incoming Filipino and foreign travelers fully vaccinated abroad must still undergo the government's regular quarantine and testing protocols, including a 10-day facility-based quarantine.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire stated that the government will gradually ease quarantine requirements for returning Filipinos and inbound tourists vaccinated abroad.

Vergeire explained that this phased implementation is due to the ongoing rise in COVID-19 cases in the country.

A major challenge in extending the relaxed quarantine rules to those vaccinated abroad is the verification of vaccination cards issued by other countries.

The government is exploring methods for verification, such as bilateral agreements or utilizing the system of the Bureau of Quarantine.