DoH: Existing Covid protocols still sufficient
‘As previously mentioned by the OIC (Maria Rosario Vergeire), the DoH reiterates the need to look at the situation as a whole, and decisions should be based on science and evidence’
The Department of Health on Sunday ruled out additional border restrictions, saying that the country’s health protocols against Covid-19 are still effective.
“Existing protocols are still sufficient and there is not yet a need to implement stricter border controls for inbound international travelers,” the Health Department said when asked about the possibility of requiring additional Covid-19 tests for incoming travelers from China.
This comes as Germany joined the growing list of countries that are now implementing additional Covid-19 measures for travelers coming from China.
China is currently experiencing an explosion of Covid-19 cases after its government abandoned its zero-Covid policy.
There are also concerns from the international community, particularly from the World Health Organization, about China’s alleged underreporting of Covid-19 cases and deaths.
The DoH maintained that it does not see the need to implement additional border restrictions for China.
‘Existing protocols are still sufficient and there is not yet a need to implement stricter border controls for inbound international travelers.’
“As previously mentioned by the OIC (Maria Rosario Vergeire), the DoH reiterates the need to look at the situation as a whole, and decisions should be based on science and evidence,” it noted.
“Whichever variant that may enter the country and in line with our current protocols, what’s important is to carefully assess our own risks and continue employing our layers of protection in addition to vaccination and boosters. Through these, we keep our cases manageable and our health system operational,” it added.
On the last day of 2022, the DoH ordered heightened surveillance on incoming travelers, particularly those who would come from China.
Meanwhile, the results of the genomic sequencing of the eight unvaccinated Filipinos from China that tested positive for Covid-19 will be available soon, the agency said.
“On the sequenced samples of the positive travelers from China, results are expected to be released in the coming days,” it said.
Last week, the DoH said a total of eight unvaccinated Filipinos from China tested positive for Covid-19 upon their arrival.
Citing the latest reports from the Bureau of Quarantine, the DoH said the eight Filipinos who arrived in the country from 27 December to 2 January tested positive through an antigen test.
Based on current protocols, non-fully vaccinated individuals who are unable to present a negative pre-departure test result are tested upon arrival at the airport.