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Philippines updates COVID-19 testing, quarantine rules for travelers from abroad

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ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Overseas Filipino workers arrive at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Parañaque City on July 1, 2021. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File " src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2021/patrolph/10/08/naia.jpg"/><figcaption>Overseas Filipino workers arrive at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Parañaque City on July 1, 2021. <em>Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File </em></figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA — The Philippines has revised its COVID-19 testing and quarantine testing rules for travelers entering the country, Malacañang said on Friday.</p><p>Effective Oct. 8, fully vaccinated travelers from green and yellow countries need to undergo facility-based quarantine until the release of their negative RT-PCR testing taken on the 5th day, said Palace spokesman Harry Roque. </p><p>They shall then be required to undergo home quarantine until their 10th day, with the day of arrival as their first day, he said in a televised public briefing. <br/> <br/>On the other hand, unvaccinated, partially vaccinated, or individuals whose vaccination status cannot be verified &quot;shall be required to undergo facility-based quarantine until the release of their RT-PCR testing taken on the seventh day,&quot; said Roque.</p><p>They shall then be required to undergo home quarantine until their 14th day, with the day of arrival as their first day, he added. </p><p>The Bureau of Quarantine shall ensure strict symptom monitoring while the individuals are in the facility, said the official.</p><p>In the case of foreign nationals, they shall be required to secure their own pre-booked accommodation of at least 6 days for the fully vaccinated; and at least 8 days for the unvaccinated, partially vaccinated, or individuals whose vaccination status cannot be confirmed, Roque said. </p><p>Green and yellow countries are <a href="https://pcoo.gov.ph/news_releases/pilot-implementation-of-alert-levels-system-extended-pediatric-vaccination-to-be-piloted/">listed</a> on this government web page. </p><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen" frameBorder="0" height="100%" id="ivsplayer01" scrolling="no" src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/html/iframe-src.html?iframeid=ivsplayer01&amp;key=e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603&amp;spid=3001339&amp;vid=1794870" width="100%"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div><div style="text-align:center"><br/><em>CAPTION: Video courtesy of PTV </em></div><p>Roque said the COVID-19 task force also approved the following protocols for close contacts of probable, suspect and confirmed COVID-19 cases.</p><ul>	<li>Fully vaccinated close contacts may undergo a 7-day quarantine period provided they remain asymptomatic for the whole period. </li>	<li>In the event that RT-PCR test needs to be performed on the asymptomatic individual, it may be done not earlier than the fifth day after the date of the last exposure.</li>	<li>Should the RT-PCR test yield a positive result, or he/she becomes symptomatic, the individual shall follow the prescribed testing and isolation protocols.</li>	<li>No testing and quarantine shall be required for close contacts who may have been traced beyond the seventh day from last exposure and who have remained asymptomatic.</li>	<li>Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated close contacts shall undergo a 14-day quarantine.</li></ul><p>The Philippines is fighting one of the worst coronavirus outbreaks in Asia, with some 2.6 million overall infections and at least 38,937 deaths. </p>

The Philippines has revised its COVID-19 testing and quarantine testing rules for travelers entering the country, Malacañang said on Friday. 