New Covid rule: Philippines makes institutional quarantine must for arriving passengers

The Philippines has announced new Covid-19 testing and quarantine protocols for the passengers arriving from other countries.

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According to local media reports, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque on Wednesday said all arriving passengers shall be required to undergo institutional quarantine regardless of their origin. On the fifth day of arrival, they will have to undergo RT-PCR test to ensure that they are not infected. For the passengers who show any Covid-19 symptoms before the fifth day, the test will be conducted early.

If tested negative, the passengers can proceed to home quarantine to complete 14-day period under strict surveillance of local government unit, Roque added.

A circular issued by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases said the new rules will be effective from February 1, 2021.