Rapid antigen test now allowed as entry requirement to PH
Rapid antigen tests can now be used as an entry requirement for travelers flying to the Philippines, Malacañang announced.
In a press statement released on April 6, Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said that travelers are allowed to present a negative rapid antigen test granted that they are performed and certified by a healthcare professional in a healthcare facility, laboratory, clinic, pharmacy, or other similar establishments from the traveler’s country of origin.
The new regulation was approved by the Inter-agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases during its meeting earlier that day, Andanar said.
Under Resolution 165 issued by IATF on March 24, the country accepts travelers from other countries provided that they can present proofs that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 along with a negative RT-PCR test taken within 48 hours before their flight to the Philippines.
In addition, Andanar announced that the IATF now allows the Bureau of Quarantine, the Department of Transportation’s One-Stop-Shop, and the Bureau of Immigration to recognize the national COVID-19 vaccination certificates of Bangladesh, Mexico, Panama, and Slovak Republic for quarantine protocols and interzonal or intrazonal movement.
“This is in addition to other countries/territories/jurisdictions whose proofs of vaccination the IATF has already approved for recognition in the Philippines, and without prejudice to such other proofs of vaccination approved by the IATF for all inbound travelers,” he said.
Other COVID-19 vaccination proofs accepted upon arrival in the country include the International Vaccination Certificate (ICV) or Prophylaxis approved by the World Health Organization, VaxCertPH, national or state digital certificate of the country or foreign government which has accepted VaxCertPH, and other documents recognized by the IATF.