No more swab test for fully vaxxed
Fully vaccinated individuals would no longer have to be tested when they travel around the country. But they must present vaccination cards signed by a legitimate vaccinating establishment or a certificate of quarantine completion showing their vaccination status. These are among the protocols finalized by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging In- fectious Diseases.
Fully vaccinated individuals would no longer have to undergo testing for COVID-19 when they travel within the country, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque announced on Sunday.
They must, however, present their COVID-19 domestic vaccination cards signed by a legitimate vaccinating establishment, or a certificate of quarantine completion showing their vaccination status, possibly from the Bureau of Quarantine.
Based on the protocols finalized by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) in Resolution No. 124-B dated July 2, these documents would be “sufficient alternatives” for any testing requirement (before travel or upon arrival) imposed by the local government of the traveler’s destination.
Roque, who is also IATF spokesperson, said that under the new protocols, a fully vaccinated individual is one who has received, two weeks ago or more, the second shot of a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine. For those inoculated with a single-dose vaccine, they are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after getting the jab.
At the same time, the vaccines they received must be included in the emergency use authorization (EUA) list or compassionate special permit issued by the Philippine Food and Drug Administration or in the emergency use listing of the World Health Organization.
Health screening a must
Upon arrival at their destination, the travelers would still need to undergo health and exposure screening.
Should they become close contacts of probable and confirmed COVID-19 cases, the fully vaccinated individuals may undergo a shortened seven-day quarantine period but only if they remain asymptomatic for the duration of the period, according to the IATF.
In case there is a need for swab testing, this may be done not earlier than the fifth day after the date of their last exposure.
No testing and quarantine shall be required for close contacts who may have been traced beyond the seventh day from their last exposure and remained asymptomatic.
But prescribed testing and isolation protocols would be followed should the swab test yield a positive result, or if the individual developed symptoms.
Interzonal, intrazonal
The new protocols would apply to both interzonal and intrazonal travel.
Interzonal travel—or moving across areas of different community quarantine classifications—was previously limited to those defined by the IATF as authorized person outside of residences or Apor. Filipinos returning from abroad, locally stranded individuals, domestic tourists and other non-Apor were later cleared for interzonal travel depending on the regulations of the local government of their destination.
The new interzonal travel protocol shall also be applicable to fully vaccinated senior citizens.
Intrazonal movement or travel between localities under the same community quarantine classification without transiting through an area placed under a different classification, would likewise continue to be allowed for those age 60 and above. But they can go only to areas under general community quarantine and modified general community quarantine.
With the new protocols for fully vaccinated individuals, Roque said the IATF had directed the Department of Health and other government agencies to amend their issuances as necessary.