PAL: New rules on testing, quarantine for passengers from countries with UK variant

The Philippine government has revised the testing and quarantine protocols for passengers - Filipino citizens and eligible non-Filipinos - arriving in the Philippines from countries where travel restrictions are in place due to new COVID-19 variants.

In a statement, flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) informed the traveling public about the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging and Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) new protocols.

PAL said that effective January 23, 2021, passengers arriving in the Philippines from countries covered by travel restrictions shall be given RT-PCR testing upon arrival and shall be given the option to avail of a second swab test on their fifth day of quarantine.

It said passengers arriving in the Philippines are required to register on Case Investigation Forms depending on their traveler type and port of entry.

For land-based OFWs arriving in Manila they can access the form through here. For sea-based OFWs arriving in Manila the link is here.

Land-based OFWs can also create/update their account on the OFW Assistance Information System (OASIS).

Passengers arriving in Cebu - Mactan Cebu International Airport or MCIA- are required to register online not earlier than five days prior to their flight departure via the Passenger Arrival Registration Form through https://bit.ly/CEBRegForm.

Likewise, passengers arriving in Clark must download and fill out the required forms.

PAL said that for OFWs arriving in Manila, swab testing on arrival will be carried out by the government One Stop Shop, free of charge.

For non-OFWs and eligible non-Filipinos arriving in Manila, swab testing will be carried out by the PAL One Stop Shop for a fee of P4,000.

Then, passengers will proceed to their respective quarantine facilities or hotels.

“When passengers swabbed under the PAL OSS receive a negative test, they shall receive an email providing them the option to either avail of a second swab test by PAL testing partner Detoxicare Molecular and Diagnostics Laboratory on the fifth day of quarantine or to continue their quarantine stay up to the 14th day,” PAL said.

“Passengers who choose to avail of the second swab test by Detoxicare will register on the email,” it said.

“They may pre-pay online or onsite. The pre-payment link is included in the e-mail,” it added.

PAL noted that OFW passengers swabbed under the government OSS will be guided accordingly by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

“Once the second swab test is administered on the 5th day of quarantine, passengers must continue their hotel/facility stay and await results,” the airline said.

“A passenger who tests negative on the second swab test must register via the DOH-BOQ Certificate Page to receive his/her quarantine and medical certificate. Passengers will present the two negative test results and the certificate for clearance and check out from the hotel,” PAL said.

PAL said completion of the 14-day quarantine at home under the monitoring of one's Local Government Unit is highly encouraged.

“A passenger who tests positive on the second swab test will be provided proper guidance by the BOQ on the succeeding steps,” it said.

PAL passengers swabbed under the PAL OSS and who are already in quarantine for a minimum of five days will receive an email providing them the option to either avail of a second swab test by PAL testing partner Detoxicare Molecular and Diagnostics Laboratory, or to continue their quarantine stay up to the 14th day.

“Effective January 23 and onwards, RT-PCR testing for passengers on their fifth day of quarantine in stringent quarantine hotels will be rolled out,” PAL said.

The Philippine government's latest directive also expanded the coverage of exemptions from current restrictions on inbound travel to the Philippines from countries with cases of the UK COVID-19 variant.

Exempted from the passenger ban on inbound travel to the Philippines are:

• Foreign nationals with valid visas, which include personnel of accredited international organizations,
• Spouse and minor children of Filipino citizens traveling with them,
• Persons arriving for medical and emergency cases, including their medical escorts, if any.

The said passengers are now subject to applicable testing and quarantine protocols as prescribed by the Department of Health (DOH). -MDM, GMA News