Coast Guard Commander Edyson Abanilla said with the new rule, “we continue to serve returning overseas Filipino workers .”
He added that they are also “verifying with the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases if the international flights are included in this new policy of the government.” Under the approved uniform travel protocols, “travelers shall no longer be required to undergo COVID-19 testing except if the local government unit of destination will make testing as a requirement prior to travel.”
Travel authority issued by the Joint Task Force COVID Shield and health certificates are also no longer required. The task force, however, mandated authorities to continue strictly implementing minimum public health standards such as physical distancing, hand hygiene, cough etiquette, and wearing of face masks and face shields across all settings.