Philippines Drops Negative SARS-CoV-2 Test Requirement for Boosted Travelers
The Philippines’ government on Monday (May 30) dropped the pre-departure negative SARS-CoV-2 test requirement for Filipinos and foreigners arriving from abroad as long as they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and have received at least one booster shot.
It was only in late March when the Philippines opened its borders to fully vaccinated foreigners. The new pandemic-time rules for international arrivals was explained by Acting Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Kris Ablan on Friday (May 27) during a press briefing.
According to the new rules, to enter the country fully vaccinated and boosted foreigners and Filipinos must carry or possess proof of COVID-19 vaccination, with no need for RT-PCR test result from point of origin.
Fully vaccinated, unboosted foreigners and Filipinos must present proof of vaccination plus a negative RT-PCR test taken within 48 hours or negative antigen test taken within 24 hours.
Unvaccinated and partially vaccinated Filipinos must present the same negative PCR or antigen test, and they must undergo facility-based quarantine until the release of negative RT-PCR test result, which shall be taken on the fifth day from date of arrival, and home quarantine from date of release from facility until 14th day from date of arrival in the Philippines.
Slovenia Lifts All Remaining COVID-19 Restrictions
The outgoing Slovenian government lifted all remaining COVID-19 restrictions as it repealed on Monday (May 30) the main decree governing anti-COVID measures under a motion by the Health Ministry’s advisory group for coronavirus.
The advisory group proposed that all restrictions be lifted in favor of compliance with the recommendations of the National Institute of Public Health (NIJZ), the Government Communications Office said.
Restrictions have been gradually eased since the worst of the Omicron wave passed and most recently the only major measures in place have been mandatory face masks in health settings and mandatory hand sanitizing.
The government also adopted a report today on a special government project aimed at promoting COVID-19 vaccination, especially among those aged 50 or more to protect the group and the healthcare system. The ministry envisaged special bonuses for members of the family medicine teams if a certain percentage of their patients got vaccinated.
But since there has been response to the project, other activities were organized to boost vaccination, including Vaccination Days and mobile vaccination units.