QUARANTINE, SWAB TEST NOT NEEDED
Protocols not necessary for domestic travel, says the Philippines
COMPULSORY Covid-19 swab tests and quarantine for domestic travel are no longer necessary, said the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF).
The resolution made by the task force, responsible for handling the Covid-19 pandemic, last Friday, was revealed by presidential spokesman Harry Roque Jr, the Philstar.com portal reported.
“Travellers shall no longer be required to undergo Covid-19 testing, except if the local government unit (LGU) of destination makes testing a requirement prior to travel.
“Testing will be limited to RTPCR (Reverse transcription -polymerase chain reaction) test.”
The task force, however, said minimum health protocols, such as wearing face masks and face shields as well as physical distancing, should be observed, despite the easing of travel restrictions.
“In addition, travellers shall no longer undergo quarantine unless they exhibit symptoms upon arrival at the LGU of destination.”
“Authorities shall continue to implement the minimum public health standards — such as physical distancing, hand hygiene, cough etiquette and wearing of face masks and face shields — in all settings,” Roque said.
The IATF ruled that clinical and exposure assessment shall be strictly implemented in all ports of entry and exit, while health assessment of passengers, supervised by doctors, shall be mandatory upon entry and exit in ports or terminals.
Meanwhile, the Department of Science and Technology’s Safe, Swift and Smart Passage (S-PaSS) Travel Management System will now be a one-stop-shop application for travellers.
The system shall be used as the primary contact-tracing system.
Other contacttracing applications, such as Traze App, must be integrated with the StaySafe.ph System.
Furthermore, ports and terminals must have quarantine facilities, as well as a referral system, for handling symptomatic travellers.