IATF: Protocols for fully vaccinated individuals finalized

The Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) finalized the protocols for fully vaccinated individuals.

A fully vaccinated individual is someone who has more than or equal to 2 weeks after having received the second dose in a 2-dose vaccine; or more than or equal to 2 weeks after having received a single-dose vaccine.

In addition, a fully vaccinated individual must be administered with vaccines that are included in the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) List or Compassionate Special Permit (CSP) issued by the Philippine Food and Drug Administration or Emergency Use Listing of the World Health Organization.

Meanwhile, the intrazonal movement of fully vaccinated senior citizens within areas under General Community Quarantine and Modified General Community Quarantine shall continue to be allowed.  This, however, is subject to the presentation of a COVID-19 domestic vaccination card duly issued by a legitimate vaccinating establishment, or certificate of quarantine completion showing the holder’s vaccination status as may be issued by the Bureau of Quarantine.  

On the other hand, for interzonal travel allowed under the pertinent resolutions of the IATF and provisions of the Omnibus Guidelines on the Implementation of Community Quarantine in the Philippines, as amended, the presentation of a COVID-19 domestic vaccination card duly signed by a legitimate vaccinating establishment, or certificate of quarantine completion showing the holder’s vaccination status as may be issued by the Bureau of Quarantine shall be sufficient alternatives to any testing requirement (before travel or upon arrival) which the local government of destination may require.

This interzonal travel shall likewise apply to fully vaccinated senior citizens.  Also, the traveler needs to undergo health and exposure screening upon arrival in the local government of destination.   

In situations when fully vaccinated individuals are close contacts of probable and confirmed COVID-19 cases, they may undergo a shortened 7-day quarantine period only if they remain asymptomatic for the duration of the 7-day period.  

In case there is a need for RT-PCR testing, this may be done not earlier than the 5th day after the date of the last exposure.

Finally, no testing and quarantine shall be required for close contacts who may have been traced beyond the 7th day from the last exposure and who remained asymptomatic.

Prescribed testing and isolation protocols shall be followed once the RT-PCR test yields a positive result, or the individual becomes symptomatic.  ###