IATF sets new isolation guidelines for travelers

CEBU, Philippines —  The Inter-Agency Task Force has implemented a new policy for quarantine of travelers wherein from negative test from pre-departure testing collected with 72 hours from time of departure for all arrivals to negative test from pre-departure testing collected within 48 hours from time of departure, the Visayas COVID-19 Vaccination Operations Center reported Monday.

VVOC spokesperson, Dr. Mary Jean Loreche, said that these refer to overseas Filipino workers and returning overseas Filipinos.

The new policy stated that for the green list countries and for the vaccinated: from facility quarantine with third day testing to only a negative test from pre-departure testing collected within 48 hours from time of departure; and from release after a negative test to complete rest of 10-day quarantine at home to no facility-based quarantine required and self-monitoring for seven days.

While for the unvaccinated: from facility quarantine with 7th day testing to facility quarantine with 5th day testing; from release after a negative test to complete rest of 14-day quarantine at home to release after negative results for self-monitoring for 24 days.

Previously for the vaccinated: facility quarantine with 5th day testing and release after a negative test to complete rest of 14-day quarantine at home to quarantine at home for seven days.

For the unvaccinated, the policy has not changed wherein at the facility quarantine with 7th day testing and release after a negative test to complete rest of 14-day quarantine at home.

For the red listed countries, the policy for the vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers has remained the same.

The policy cited that for vaccinated, the facility quarantines with testing on the 7th day and release after a negative test to complete the rest of 14-day quarantine at home.

The policy for the unvaccinated is that 10-day facility quarantine upon arrival with testing on the 7th day and regardless of results, the individual is to complete the minimum quarantine period of 10 days and for completion of home quarantine until the 14th day. — GMR (FREEMAN)