IATF Approves Uniform Travel Protocols for all LGUs; No more COVID-19 Tests for Travelers unless LGU requires it

The government's coronavirus task force or the Inter Agency Task Force (IATF) has issued Resolution 101 which provides uniform travel protocols for all local government units (LGU) in the Philippines. The resolution issued by the IATF says that COVID-19 tests (RT-PCT tests) for traveler are not mandatory, unless the LGU will make it a requirement. The resolution also states that travelers shall no longer undergo quarantine, unless they show symptoms when they arrive in their destination. Also, Travel Authority and health certificates shall no longer be required.

The uniform travel protocols for land, air, and sea of the Department of the Interior and Local Government was crafted in close coordination with the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines, League of Provinces of the Philippines, League of Municipalities of the Philippines, and the League of Cities of the Philippines.

Other important points in the resolution includes:

• Minimum public health standards, which include physical distancing, wearing of face mask and face shield, among others shall be strictly implemented.
• Clinical and exposure assessment shall be strictly implemented in all ports of entry and exit.
• Travel Authority issued by Joint Task Force COVID Shield and health certificates shall no longer be required.
• StaySafe.ph System shall be utilized as the primary contact tracing system. Traze App for airports, and such other existing contact tracing applications must be integrated with the StaySafe.ph System.
• For the National Capital Region, all buses bound for provinces shall be required to use the Integrated Terminal Exchange as the central hub for transportation. No bus company or public transport shall be allowed use of their private terminals.

ALSO READ: How to Download, Register, Activate and Use the TRAZE Contact Tracing App?

For the full details of IATF's Resolution 101 for the uniform travel protocols for LGUs, please visit www.officialgazette.gov.ph or you may read the resolution below.