MANILA – Japan is now on the Philippine government’s “yellow” list until Jan. 15, which means only Filipinos, balikbayans and foreign nationals with long-term visas may be allowed entry to the country.
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) announced their implementation of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases’ (IATF) new country-risk classification effective Jan. 1.
Fully vaccinated arriving passengers shall submit a negative RT-PCR test taken 72 hours prior to departure from Japan.
They shall also be required to undergo facility-based quarantine and swabbing on the fifth day.
They may be sent home upon the release of a negative RT-PCR result but shall self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms until the 14th day of arrival.
On the other hand, arriving passengers who are unvaccinated, partially vaccinated, or whose vaccination status cannot be independently validated shall submit a negative RT-PCR test conducted within 72 hours prior to departure.
They shall be required to undergo a facility-based quarantine with RT-PCR testing on the 7th day.
They may be discharged upon the release of a negative RT-PCR result and shall observe home quarantine until the 14th day of arrival.
“Following the latest resolution, tourists are still not allowed to enter the country,” BI Commissioner Jaime Morente said. - Florenda Corpuz
(Article cover photo: Arriving passengers from Japan wait for their RT-PCR test at NAIA Terminal 2 on June 20, 2020.)
