THE Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID) is lifting the travel ban on passengers arriving from countries with reported cases of the new Covid-19 variant on February 1.
While arriving passengers will no longer be tested upon arrival at the airport, the guests will have to quarantine for seven days at government-accredited hotels for such purpose.
The Department of Tourism (DOT) said quarantined guests will be tested at their hotels on the sixth day of their quarantine.
DOT Spokesman and Undersecretary Benito C. Bengzon Jr. told the BusinessMirror, “Hotels should have links with testing centers. The guest will not be allowed to leave the hotel.”
DOT-National Capital Region explained, “An assigned lab will go to the hotel for the test,” but did not say if these were contracted through the hotel from private medical facilities or were government testers.
They added, “The [test] result is guaranteed to be released within 24 hours,” but added if the testing is done by the Philippine Red Cross, the result may be released within 24-48 hours.
Regarding the monitoring of the quarantine and testing, DOT-NCR stressed, “The hotel is well aware of the protocols. They even submit the names of their guests who are due for the swabbing.”
New entry rules
In its Resolution No. 97 dated January 28, 2021, foreign nationals with valid and existing visas at the time of entry, are now re-allowed to enter under relevant IATF-MEID resolutions. Homecoming Filipinos covered by Republic Act 6768 (The Balikbayan Program) may also enter the Philippines; those holding foreign passports may enter visa-free, and bring their foreign spouses and children along.
Arriving passengers have to pre-book their accommodation for at least seven nights in a government-accredited quarantine hotel/facility, and have themselves tested on the sixth day from the date of arrival.
A source in the IATF Technical Working Group clarified, “The sixth date from the date of arrival, is technically the fifth day, counting the day after arrival as Day 1.”
Asked to explain the rationale for the sixth-day testing, he said, “The health experts recommended that protocol. But I think it is consistent with what other countries are doing, which is also testing a few days after arrival. My personal opinion is that getting it on the sixth day will allow the virus to manifest itself better for testing if they’re carrying it.”
Earlier, the travel ban on countries with reported cases of the new variant required arriving passengers to test upon arrival at the airport, then quarantine for 14 days at quarantine hotels or designated government facilities.
DOT eager to welcome balikbayans
Meanwhile, in a news statement, Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo Puyat said, “We are happy that the borders are open again to our balikbayans, who can replan their visits, as more local destinations have reopened.”
The same IATF resolution directs the DOT to look into the rates of the quarantine hotels. “Ever since the beginning, the list of participating DOT-accredited accommodation establishments reflects the indicative rates so that the passenger can manage his budget, now even so, to consider a minimum seven or maximum 14 day-quarantine period, we ask hotels to give good rates to help lessen the burden,” she said.
The DOT continues to monitor strict implementation of the minimum health and safety guidelines in accredited tourism enterprises, particularly hotels that have been repurposed as quarantine facilities, or have reopened for staycation purposes.
“Furthermore, we will pursue the development of more health and safety guidelines for other tourism-related activities and assist local governments to safely reopen destinations to restore businesses, jobs and livelihood for communities,” said the DOT chief.
