MANILA -- The Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on Wednesday night, April 6, 2022, allowed the use of rapid antigen tests for entry requirements in the Philippines as long as they are administered and certified by a healthcare professional in a healthcare facility, laboratory, clinic, pharmacy, or other similar establishments from the country of origin of the traveller.

The IATF likewise approved the acceptance and recognition of the national COVID-19 vaccination certificates of Bangladesh, Mexico, Panama and Slovak Republic, for purposes of arrival quarantine protocols, as well as for interzonal/intrazonal movement.

This is in addition to other countries/territories/jurisdictions whose proofs of vaccination the IATF has already approved for recognition in the Philippines, and without prejudice to such other proofs of vaccination approved by the IATF for all inbound travelers.

The IATF directed the Bureau of Quarantine, the Department of Transportation - One-Stop-Shop and the Bureau of Immigration to recognize only the proofs of vaccination thus approved by the IATF. (OPS)