14-day quarantine still required for Batanes travelers

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan, Philippines — People traveling to Batanes are still required to go on 14-day quarantine.

In an advisory posted on Facebook yesterday, the provincial government said the Batanes COVID-19 task group decided on Monday to strictly implement the two-week quarantine either in a government facility or accredited or designated private facility or hotel to be monitored by the health cluster of the local government unit (LGU) on a daily basis.

Authorized persons outside residence, such as uniformed personnel and national government officials, are required to go on quarantine for seven days provided they agree to undergo swab or antigen test for COVID-19 on the fifth day of their isolation

In compliance with Resolution 101 of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases or IATF issued on Feb. 26, the Batanes provincial government said a medical certificate and travel authority shall no longer be required for inbound travelers.

However, a certificate of acceptance issued by the LGU of destination is required based on the discretion of the receiving mayor.

The IATF resolution sets uniform travel protocols for land, air and sea, which also states that testing for travelers shall not be mandatory except if required by the LGU and shall be limited to RT-PCR.

The resolution states that no traveler shall be required to undergo quarantine unless they exhibit symptoms upon arrival at the LGU of destination.

The provincial government said Batanes remains closed to tourists.

The province was declared COVID-free after its three confirmed cases recovered.

The last active case – an 82-year-old resident who arrived on a commercial light plane – was recorded in December.