Tourists will once again have to present negative COVID-19 tests every time they travel, the Department of Health (DOH) clarified on Wednesday.
After the IATF announced on Monday, the vaccination card can now be used to get to the destination.
But due to the doubts of local governments that were not consulted, the directive went back to normal.
“Bago niyan, ang dati nating resolution ay meron tayong testing… Sa ngayon, ibabalik muna natin doon (testing requirement),” said Health Secretary Francisco Duque.
After Duque’s interview, the DOH issued a statement saying it is “status quo” now and the presentation of the COVID-19 result is still required.
“This means LGU can still require testing as a requirement to entry. Status quo,” DOH said.
Duque said government agencies will meet on Thursday to finalize the tourist travel policy.
Many are divided on the presentation of a vaccine card or quarantine certificate instead of a negative swab test result of Filipino vaccines for domestic travel.
Negative COVID-19 results still needed for travel – DOH
According to Dr. Rontgene Solante, an infectious disease expert, this is a way to encourage more people to get vaccinated.
“When you are fully vaccinated, you are more protected compared to those that are not vaccinated. That means you have that freedom already to go out,” said Solante.
But Solante insisted that it still involves meeting the enforced minimum health standards even if they have been vaccinated.
In an interview with the Bakuna Muna segment on the Kabayan program on TeleRadyo Wednesday morning, Solante said it would be important to know how to validate the vaccination card to ensure it is authentic.
Solante further explained that being fully vaccinated will happen two weeks after the second dose of vaccine against COVID-19.
“Kapag sinabi nating fully vaccinated dapat after the second dose, two weeks after pa kasi hindi pa naman nag-develop ‘yung antibody fully. Usually, after the second-week meron ka nang protection but still, ang panawagan natin, maski bakunado ka pa, you still have to maintain the health protocols,” he said.
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