Government Officials and Staff Not Included in Mandatory Quarantine Protocol
According to the Malacañang last Friday, government officials and staff on official business are now allowed to travel without the mandatory quarantine protocols of their destination’s local government units (LGU). Mandatory testing will no longer be needed as well.
Testing and Quarantine Protocol
Every town, city, province, and region in the Philippines has a quarantine protocol. Every person that goes in and out of its borders are required to take different screenings and present different documents. However, government officials and personnel that are traveling for official business, will no longer need to follow the travel protocols. These include employees of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation. This is approved by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF).
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said that government officials are exempt from testing and quarantine protocols “as long as they can present valid IDs issued by their respective government agency and an original or a certified true copy of the Travel Authority/Order issued by the Department Secretary or his/her designated official.”
They, however, must pass the symptom screen at the point of their destination or upon boarding public transportation. They must also strictly comply with minimum public health standards like wearing of face masks, face shields and observing physical distancing,” Harry Roque said.
The Local Government Units have varying requirements before returning residents are allowed to enter their jurisdiction. Some require presenting a negative swab test result, undergoing 14-day quarantine, securing a travel pass from the police of their point of origin, among others.
Stay Safe & Stay at Home!
Wear your face mask when going out in public. Practice social distancing and wash your hands as often as possible. Sanitize or use alcohol.
