IATF retroactively applies new testing, quarantine rules for int'l arrivals

The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) has approved retroactive application of testing and quarantine protocols for international travelers arriving in the Philippines on or before January 13.

Under new rules, travelers must now get a COVID-19 swab test 48 hours before departure instead of the previous 72-hour requirement; RT-PCR tests taken within 72 hours will still be honored until January 19.

The ban on entry for Filipino travelers from Red List countries has been lifted from January 16 to 31, with fully vaccinated individuals required to present a negative RT-PCR test 48 hours before departure and undergo facility-based quarantine followed by home quarantine if they test negative after seven days.