Filipinos traveling abroad no longer required to take antigen testing — IATF

The government will no longer require Filipinos traveling abroad to undertake antigen testing 24 hours before departure, Malacañang announced Friday.

The travelers, however, will still secure a negative diagnostic test if required by the country of destination or the airline based on the latest decision of the InterAgency Task Force for the Management of Infectious Diseases (IATF).

The task force issued Resolution No. 80 to introduce the latest amendment in the conditions set for Filipinos planning to travel abroad.

“Inaprubahan po ng inyong IATF ang pagtanggal o pagbawi sa pre-boarding testing requirement ng outbound Filipino travelers na unang ni-ratify sa IATF Resolution No. 79 na nagre-require ng negative antigen test result 24 oras bago lumipad bilang pre-boarding requirement (The IATF approved the lifting of the pre-boarding testing requirement for outbound Filipino travelers that was first ratified by IATF Resolution No. 79 that required the negative antigen test result 24 hours before leaving as a pre-boarding requirement),” presidential spokesman Harry Roque said over state television Friday.

“Uulitin ko po, wala na pong antigen requirement sa lahat po na bibiyahe sa labas ng bansa (I repeat there will be no more antigen requirement for those traveling abroad),” he added.

In lieu of government requirement for antigen testing, the task force ruled that a negative COVID19 test will be taken by outbound Filipino travelers “whenever required by the country of destination or the airline.” The COVID test must be done in accordance with the health and safety protocols of the destination country or the airline, the IATF added.

The task force had earlier lifted its travel restrictions on nonessential foreign travel of Filipinos effective October 21 but subject to certain conditions.

Under the resolution issued by the IATF, those traveling on tourist visas must submit confirmed round-trip tickets as well as travel and health insurance. Travelers must also sign an immigration form acknowledging the travel risks amid the pandemic. When they return to the country, the travelers must follow the government’s health guidelines such as undergoing COVID tests and quarantine.