Domestic travel restrictions eased

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) confirmed Sunday that travel authority issued by the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the medical certificate obtained from the local health offices are no longer required for domestic travel.

DILG Undersecretary and spokesperson Jonathan Malaya said the decision was reached a er the Inter-Agency Task Force on EmergingInfectiousDiseases(IATFMEID) approved the harmonized national travel protocols for land, air, and sea recommended by the department.

On February 26, the IATFMEID issued Resolution No. 101 approving the streamlined travel protocols crafted by the DILG with the concurrence of the PNP, Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP), League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP), League of Municipalities of the

Philippines LMP), and the League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP).

The DILG official noted that the new protocols are applicable to all LGUs across the country and he enjoined all LGUs to comply with the new regulations issued by the IATF.

He added that COVID-19 testing shall not be mandatory for domestic travelers except if the LGU of destination will require testing as a requirement prior to travel.

“If the LGU of destination requires a test, it shall only require a Reverse-Transcription - Polymerase Chain Reaction (RTPCR) test and no other. Meaning, LGUs cannot require Antigen tests or rapid tests as test requirements prior to travel,” Malaya said.

Malaya urged all travelers to check with the locality of their destination before traveling to ensure a smooth trip.

Under the new protocols approved by the IATF, Malaya pointed out that no traveler shall be required to undergo facility-based quarantine unless they exhibit symptoms upon arrival at the LGU of destination.

“Therefore, the health assessment of passengers or travelers supervised by medical professionals shall be mandatory upon entry in the port/terminal and exit at point of destination,” he added.

He noted that all LGUs, regardless if they require PCR tests or not, shall conduct clinical and exposure assessment at all points of entry and exit to ensure that only asymptomatic, non-close contact individuals are allowed to travel or move from one LGU to another.

Malaya also emphasized that with the travel regulations harmonized, minimum public health standards which include physical distancing, hand hygiene, cough etiquette and wearing of face masks and face shields, among others, shall be strictly implemented by the PNP and local authorities.