The Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) clarified that the vaccination card provided by local governments can now be used by those who have completed the COVID-19 vaccine so that travelers will not have to undergo the COVID-19 test.
This is part of the government’s gradual easing of travel restrictions, especially for those who have completed the vaccine.
“Basta po in-issue na po ng lokal na pamahalaan or ng DOH, IATF, na vaccination card ay sapat na po ‘yan in lieu of RT-PCR testing sa intra- and interzonal [travel],” said Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque.
“But emphasizing na bawal pa po ang intra- and interzonal travel in ECQ (enhanced community quarantine) and MECQ (modified enhanced community quarantine) areas,” said ni Roque.
Prior to this, there were still places that required a negative RT-PCR or antigen test result before the traveler was allowed to enter.
In a Facebook post, infectious disease expert Dr. Edsel Salvana said that fully vaccinated individuals are less likely to have COVID-19.
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Even if they become infected, the amount of virus they can spread is small compared to those who have not been vaccinated, Salvana said.
The number of asymptomatic RT-PCR test positives is also low and even lower among those who have completed the vaccine.
So what local government units (LGUs) should watch out for travelers is their exposure, and whether they have symptoms, Salvana said.
In case those who have been vaccinated develop symptoms, they should still be tested and isolated.
Despite this, travel enthusiast Frankie Chiu is not excited about the rule change.
He also experienced that he was prevented from entering a province that he would have just passed to Baguio.
On the other hand, he understands that the LGUs are tightening up so that the number of COVID-19 cases does not increase, but he hopes that the standard of the LGUs will become standard.
According to the IATF, visitors still need to undergo health and exposure screening per local government regulations.
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