Guidelines for the Shortened Quarantine of Arriving Vaccinated Travelers in the Philippines

Herewith are copies of the following issuances concerning the government guidelines for the shortened quarantine of arriving vaccinated travelers for your information:

1. Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID) Resolution No. 124-A Series of 2021 issued on 30 June 2021 re “Green” countries/jurisdictions for the purpose of IATF Resolution No. 123-C (s.2021).

2. Copy of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID) Resolution No. 124-B Series of 2021 issued on 02 July 2021 regarding the protocols for fully vaccinated individuals

 

3. Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID) Resolution No. 123-C Series of 2021 issued on 28 June 2021 re Governing guidelines of inbound international travel to any port of the Philippines of all individuals fully vaccinated in the Philippines regardless of travel history, and those vaccinated abroad who stayed exclusively in “Green” countries/jurisdictions in the past fourteen days immediately preceding arrival — with “Green” countries/jurisdictions being those classified by the Department of Health (DOH) as “Low Risk” countries based on a set incidence rate.

4. Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ) Memorandum Circular No. 2021-11 re Interim Guidelines for the Validation of the Proof of Vaccination of Arriving Travelers to be granted the Shortened Quarantine Privileges stated in IATF Resolution No. 123-C

5. Copy of the DOLE Department Order No. 226 Series of 2021 re Guidelines on the Validation Process by the Philippine Overseas Labor Offices (POLOs) of Vaccination Cards/Documents of Fully Vaccinated Returning Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) Pursuant to the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) Resolutions Nos. 123-C and 124-A

AMENDMENTS AND UPDATED ISSUANCES: 

- DOLE Department Order No. 226-A Series of 2021 dated 09 July 2021 re Amendment to Department Order No. 226, Series of 2021, otherwise known as “Guidelines on the Validation Process by the Philippine Overseas Labor Offices (POLOs) of Vaccination Cards/Documents of Fully Vaccinated Returning Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) Pursuant to the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) Resolutions Nos. 123-C and 124-A”.

- Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID) Resolution No. 125 Series of 2021 issued on 08 July 2021.

Quarantine Levels

Effective  July 1 until July 15, 2021, the following areas will be placed under Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ):

• Butuan City
• Cagayan de Oro City
• Cagayan
• Bataan
• Lucena City
• Naga City, Bicol
• Iloilo City
• Iloilo
• Negros Oriental
• Puerto Princesa City
• Davao City
• Davao Oriental
• Davao Occidental
• Davao de Oro
• Davao del Sur
• Davao del Norte
• Zamboanga del Norte
• Zamboanga del Sur
• Dinagat Islands
• Surigao del Sur

While the following places will be placed under General Community Quarantine (GCQ) with heightened restrictions from July 1 to July 15, 2021:

• Cavite
• Laguna

Additionally, the following places will also be placed under General Community Quarantine (GCQ) with some restrictions from July 1 to July 15, 2021:

• Bulacan
• Rizal
• National Capital Region

The following areas are under the regular GCQ status from July 1 to July 31, 2021:

• CAR
• Baguio City
• Apayao (until July 15)
• Region II
• Santiago City
• Isabela
• Nueva Vizcaya
• Quirino
• Region IV-A
• Batangas
• Quezon
• Region VI
• Guimaras
• Aklan
• Bacolod City
• Negros Occidental
• Antique
• Capiz
• Region IX
• Zamboanga City
• Zamboanga Sibugay
• Region X
• Iligan City
• Region XII
• General Santos City
• Sultan Kudarat
• Sarangani
• Cotabato
• South Cotabato
• CARAGA
• Agusan del Norte
• Surigao del Norte
• Agusan del Sur
• BARMM
• Cotabato City

Meanwhile, the rest of the Philippines is under Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ) from July 1 to July 31, 2021.

Please refer to the corresponding LGU websites or Facebook pages for the complete guidelines and protocols implemented in each location.

Quarantine Protocols for GCQ with heightened restrictions

MINIMUM PUBLIC HEALTH STANDARDS

Must be complied with at all times.

TRANSPORTATION

Road, rail, maritime, and aviation sectors of public transportation shall be allowed to operate at such capacity and protocols in accordance with guidelines issued by the DOTr.

DINING

Indoor dine-in services shall be at 20% venue or seating capacity in Cavite and Laguna, while 40% for the rest of NCR Plus.

Outdoor or al fresco dining shall be at 50% venue or seating capacity.

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

Outdoor tourist attractions in NCR, Bulacan, and Rizal may operate at 50%, while tourist attractions in Cavite and Laguna may operate at 30% with strict adherence to minimum public health standards.

Historical sites and museums shall be allowed to open in NCR, Bulacan, and Rizal at 40% venue capacity following the health and safety protocols as may be issued by the DOT, and the approval of the local government unit where these sites may be situated. Provided that guided tours are prohibited.

Indoor tourist attractions in Cavite and Laguna shall not be allowed to operate.

GATHERINGS

Religious gatherings and gatherings for necrological services, wakes, inurnment, and funerals for those who died of causes other than COVID-19 shall be allowed up to 30% of the venue capacity in NCR, Bulacan, and Rizal while 10% for the rest of NCR Plus.

ALLOWED ACTIVITIES/INDUSTRIES

All non-contact sports, games, and scrimmages held outdoors are allowed.

The Philippine Swimming Incorporated is allowed to host the Israeli National Swimming Team for their pre-Olympic training under a sports bubble format at the New Clark City Aquatics Center, Capas, Tarlac from July 8 to 21, 2021. Provided, that the event shall strictly comply with the approved health and safety protocols.

Gyms and Fitness Centers in NCR, Bulacan, and Rizal may operate at 40% venue capacity. Other indoor non-contact sports venues with Safety Seal Certifications, such as studios, skating rinks, and racket sports courts shall be allowed to operate at 50% venue capacity. Indoor sports courts and venues in Cavite and Laguna shall not be allowed to operate.

Personal care services that allow for services not requiring mask removal may also operate at 50% venue capacity in NCR, Bulacan, and Rizal while 30% for the rest of NCR Plus. This includes salons, parlors, and beauty clinics.

STAYCATIONS IN NCR PLUS

The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) Resolution No. 115-A allowed specialized markets of the DOT which include staycation programs.

13 staycation hotels have been granted a Certificate of Authority to Operate for Staycation (CAOS) pursuant to DOT Administrative Order No. 2020-006-C.

Staycations for all ages are allowed but guests below 18 and above 65 years old shall be required to present a negative result from an RT-PCR test taken not more than 72 hours prior to check-in.

ACCREDITED STAYCATION HOTELS IN METRO MANILA

• Grand Hyatt Hotel
• Okada Manila Hotel
• Shangri-la at the Fort
• Nobu Hotel
• Joy Nostalg Hotel & Suites Manila
• EDSA Shangri-la Manila
• Solaire Hotel
• Hyatt Regency, City of Dreams
• Nuwa Hotel, City of Dreams
• The Peninsula Manila
• Aruga by Rockwell
• Sheraton Manila Hotel
• Hilton Manila

These staycation hotels are not currently utilized as COVID-19 quarantine facilities.

DOT-ACCREDITED ACCOMMODATION ESTABLISHMENTS (AEs) IN GCQ AREAS

• Based on the IATF Resolution No. 117, AEs in areas under GCQ may accept bookings provided that:
• The establishment operates only up to 30% of the venue capacity
• The guests will come from the same household
• Can accept guests of all ages but guests below 18 and above 65 years old shall be required to present a negative result from an RT-PCR test taken not more than 72 hours prior to check-in.

EVENT VENUES

Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Exhibitions (MICE) events in the eligible venue establishments in NCR, Bulacan, and Rizal are allowed to resume up to 40% of venue capacity, while social events in the same establishments are allowed up to 10% of the venue capacity. MICE events in Cavite and Laguna shall not be allowed to operate.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Department of Tourism (DOT) shall issue interim guidelines for MICE and social events in eligible venue establishments.

All venues listed below are not allowed to operate:

• Entertainment Venues
• Bars
• Concert Halls
• Theaters
• Recreational Venues
• Arcades
• Billiards Halls
• Internet Cafés
• Amusement Parks
• Fairs
• Kiddie Rides
• Playgrounds
• Indoor Sports Courts and Venues
• Indoor Tourist Attractions
• Venues for Meetings, Conferences, and Exhibitions​

BUSINESS ESTABLISHMENTS

Under the Safety Seal Certification Program, business establishments awarded Safety Seal Certifications are allowed to operate at an additional 10% beyond the prescribed on-site capacity or venue/seating capacity.

LEISURE TRAVEL FOR ALL AGES FROM THE NCR PLUS BUBBLE

The Inter-agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) allows leisure travel for all ages from the NCR Plus Bubble to areas under a Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ) starting starting June 1, 2021.

Travelers below 18 and above 65 years old shall be subject to RT-PCR test-before-travel.

Point-to-Point travel only, which means that while pit stops or stopovers are allowed for eating and personal necessities, no side trips shall be made to other tourism destinations.

For additional information, please refer to Resolution No. 124

PROTOCOLS FOR FULLY VACCINATED INDIVIDUALS

Under the IATF-EID Resolution No. 124-B, fully vaccinated individuals will only need to present their COVID-19 domestic vaccination card or a certificate of quarantine completion showing the holder’s vaccination status, as may be issued by the Bureau of Quarantine for intrazonal movement and interzonal travel.

The following conditions below allow an individual to be considered as fully vaccinated for COVID-19:

• At least 2 weeks after getting the second dose in a 2-dose series, or
• At least 2 weeks after getting a single-dose type of vaccine

Vaccines administered to the individual are included in any of the following:

• Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) List or Compassionate Special Permit (CSP) issued by the Philippine Food and Drug Administration
• Emergency Use Listing of the World Health Organization
• Fully vaccinated senior citizens are only allowed to travel within areas under General Community Quarantine and Modified General Community Quarantine.
• For fully vaccinated individuals who are identified as close contacts of probable and confirmed COVID-19 cases, they may undergo a shortened seven (7)-day quarantine period, provided they remain asymptomatic for the entire seven days. In the event where RT-PCR Test needs to be performed, it may be done not earlier than the fifth day after the date of the last exposure. 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. Should the RT-PCR Test yield a positive result, or the individual becomes symptomatic, prescribed testing protocols shall be followed.
• For interzonal travel allowed under the pertinent resolutions of the IATF and provisions of the Omnibus Guidelines on the Implementation of Community Quarantine in the Philippines, as amended, the presentation of a COVID-19 domestic vaccination card or certificate of quarantine completion showing the holder’s vaccination status as may be issued by the BOC, shall be sufficient alternatives to any testing requirement–before travel or upon arrival–which the local government unit of destination may require. Provided, that the traveler shall undergo health and exposure screening upon arrival in the local government unit of destination.