Philippines

Philippines Announces New Protocols on Testing and Quarantine for Arriving Travelers – February 2021

Travelers arriving in the Philippines starting Feb.1, 2021, will undergo RT-PCR testing on Day 6 of quarantine at a facility/hotel accredited by tourism and health agencies of the government. 

The Philippine government requires all passengers arriving in the Philippines to take a mandatory RT-PCR Test for COVID-19. Those arriving in the Philippines starting February 1, 2021 and onwards shall undergo mandatory testing on the sixth day of their quarantine stay. Before you fly, each passenger must complete the registration process and must fill this out as early as 3 days prior to departure. It is required to have a valid e-mail address to complete your registration. If you do not have an e-mail address yet, kindly create one before proceeding.

For passengers arriving in Manila starting February 01, 2021 and onwards, you should hold a confirmed booking at a hotel accredited by Tourism and Health Agencies, and for at least 6 nights to accommodate the schedule of your test and the release of results. In compliance with Philippine regulations, only one person is allowed per room. A waiver for special cases is available upon arrival for exemptions of more than 1 adult in a room (e.g., person with non-COVID-19 medical conditions needing assistance, or an adult acting as guardian of minor, etc.).

Travelers should follow the instructions below. There are changes according to the arriving city: Manila, Cebu, Clark.

Philippines Manila

Arriving In Manila

BEFORE YOU FLY AND DURING CHECK-IN

1. As early as 3 days prior to your departure, register and accomplish the PAL Electronic Case Investigation Form and save the confirmation e-mail and QR code: https://bit.ly/MNLPALeCIF

Please note that this is a two-step registration process. Your registration is completed once you receive an e-mail containing a QR Code.

2. Download, print, and accomplish the Affidavit of Undertaking for submission upon arrival in the Philippines.

3. Ensure to have a confirmed booking at a hotel accredited by Tourism and Health Agencies, and for at least 7 nights to accommodate the schedule of your test and the release of results. Passengers arriving before hotel standard check-in times are encouraged to book an additional night to ensure room availability. In compliance with Philippine regulations, only one person is allowed per room. A waiver for special cases is available upon arrival for exemptions of more than 1 adult in a room (e.g., person with non-COVID-19 medical conditions needing assistance, or one adult travelling with more than 1 child, etc.).

You can compare room rates and book on Booking.com in Manila

4. Upon check-in, sign the Declaration and Waiver Form presented by our check-in agent, indicating that you are healthy and fit to travel.

DURING THE FLIGHT

5. Accomplish the Health Declaration Form, Bureau of Customs Form, and Arrival Card.

 

WHEN YOU ARRIVE

6. Upon arrival, listen to the briefing conducted by the Philippine Coast Guard.

7. Undergo a temperature check, submit the Health Declaration Form upon deplaning, and proceed to the designated waiting area. Fill out the Affidavit of Undertaking.

8. Proceed to the hotel desk. Hotel coordinators shall verify your hotel booking or assist you in your reservation if you have not made one yet. Please ensure that hotel verifiers have signed or stamped your Affidavit of Undertaking. You may also arrange for your airport-hotel transfer (via shuttle/van) at these desks. A separate desk is available for coupon taxis and metered taxis. A sticker will be given to you indicating your choice of transportation to your quarantine hotel:

  • For pre-arranged hotel transfers, a red sticker will be provided
  • For Shuttles/Vans, a blue sticker will be provided
  • For Metered Taxis, a yellow sticker will be provided
  • For Coupon Taxis, a green sticker will be provided

9. Proceed to the verification booth. Present your passport and the QR code sent to you after accomplishing the e-CIF.

10. Pay for your RT-PCR Test. The test costs Php 4,000 and you may pay in cash (PHP or USD), card, GCash, PayPal™, WeChat Pay, or Alipay. ATMs are available inside the terminal. You will be given three (3) barcode stickers.

11. Receive a sticker indicating that you are holding a confirmed booking and that you have paid for your test. Place the sticker on the back of your passport.

12. Help Desks are available at the waiting area for passengers who do not have smart devices/phones. Charging stations are also available.

13. Clear with immigration and submit the Arrival Card. 

14. Claim your baggage at the designated carousel and clear with Customs Check. Submit the Bureau of Customs Form.

15. Submit the Affidavit of Undertaking before exiting the terminal. Proceed to your booked hotel through your preferred mode of transportation.

 

AT THE QUARANTINE HOTEL

16. Check in at your hotel and wait for the schedule of your test. On day 3 of your quarantine stay, you will receive a follow up e-mail that confirms the hotel you are staying in, and updates your health through an assessment checklist. You must answer this online form no later than day 4 of your stay. To confirm, visit the online portal at https://bit.ly/PALday6swab

On day 5 of your stay, our testing partner may contact you or your hotel to confirm your schedule and location. Please be reminded that your scheduled test may be postponed the next day or at a later date for any unforeseen circumstances (e.g., typhoons, flashfloods, strikes, shift in stricter community quarantine status, etc.).

Day 1 starts on the day you arrive in the Philippines. If you develop COVID-19 symptoms (e.g., dry cough, shortness of breath, loss of taste and/or smell, etc.) at any time before your scheduled test, please inform the hotel you are staying in so a medical or BOQ officer can assess and check up on you immediately.

17. On the day of your test, please present your passport, QR code, and payment receipt to the personnel who will administer your test. To follow up on your test results, you may contact our testing partner through the following channels:

  • Smart/Sun Mobile: +639190059326
  • Globe Mobile: +639171180321
  • Landline: +632 7577-1184
  • E-mail Address: [email protected]

18. Your accommodation and food during your stay including fees due to required extensions will be at your own expense. Delivery of food and other essentials to your room are subject to the rules and regulations of the hotel.

 

GOING HOME

19. If you test positive, the BOQ shall transfer you to a designated hospital for further medical management. 

If you test negative, you may obtain your BOQ medical certificate via the DOH-BOQ certificate page and e-mailing [email protected] the following details: Complete Name, Complete Address, Current Hotel & Room Number, Country of Origin, Date of Arrival to the Philippines, Number of Quarantine Days and an Attachment of your OFFICIAL test result (screenshot or file with password):

Please present your negative test result together with the BOQ Medical Quarantine Certificate for clearance. If you need a hard copy of your result and certificate, printing services are available at your quarantine hotel.

To follow up on your request, you may call the BOQs landline at (02) 5318-7500, or through these mobile numbers: 0961-899-0779, 0951-210-8105, or 0926-629-0723.

20. Once cleared, you can call your relatives and respective Local Government Units (LGU) to pick you up or arrange for your transportation going home. Please complete your 14-day quarantine or self-isolation under the monitoring of your LGU and Barangay Health Emergency Response Teams (BHERT). 

cebu snorkelling

Arriving in Cebu

BEFORE YOU FLY AND DURING CHECK-IN

1. Register via the online MCIA Passenger Arrival Registration Form through this link: https://mactancebuairport.com/covid-19-registration. All arriving international flight passengers are REQUIRED to register not earlier than five (5) days prior to departure. A Travel Registration Number (TRN) will be generated once registration is complete.

For land-based OFWs, register to the OFW Assistance Information System (OASIS): http://oasis.owwa.gov.ph

For non-OFWs and eligible non-Filipinos, please ensure to have a confirmed booking at a hotel accredited by Tourism and Health Agencies and for at least 7 nights. Passengers arriving before hotel standard check-in times are encouraged to book an additional night to ensure room availability. 

Compare room rates and book on Booking.com in Cebu

2. For non-OFWs and eligible non-Filipinos, you may also pay for your RT-PCR Test in advance or upon arrival, which costs PHP 4,100. To pre-pay, follow these steps:

  • After completing your online registration and once you receive your barcode/TRN, pay at least 48 hours before your scheduled arrival date. The following are the available payment methods:
    • Bank Transfer or Direct Deposit (indicate passenger’s full name and arrival date in the details/notes section):
      United Coconut Planters Bank (UCPB) – SM City Cebu Branch

Account Name: PRIME CARE CEBU

Account Number: 00-318-1044-220

Swift Code: UCPBPHMM

  • Money Remittance Centers:
    You may ask someone to visit the following money remittance centers: Palawan, Cebuana Lhuillier, M Lhuillier, LBC, Western Union, etc.
    Payee: Janna Ragas
  • Other Methods: you may ask someone to visit Prime Care Medical Clinic located at APM Mall, across SM City Cebu, North Reclamation Area, Cebu City.

Once payment is done, fill out the Prime Care Prepayment Form via https://bit.ly/PrimeCarePrepayment. Present the prepayment confirmation at the Cashier Counter upon arrival. Cash and credit card are also accepted to process payment.

 

DURING THE FLIGHT

3. During your flight, accomplish the Health Declaration Form and Arrival Card.

 

WHEN YOU ARRIVE

4. Listen to the briefing conducted by the Bureau of Quarantine.

5. Upon deplaning, present your TRN (generated after registering through the online MCIA Passenger Arrival Registration Form), passport, boarding pass, and Health Declaration Form at the Validation Counter and claim your barcode for identification. Keep the barcode until the day of your test.

6. Proceed to thermal scanning by the Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ) 

7. Clear with immigration and submit the Arrival Card.

8. At the arrival reclaim hall, proceed to your respective desks for a briefing:

  • For land-based OFWs, proceed to the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Des
  • For sea-based OFWs, proceed to the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) DeskFor non-OFWs, proceed to the cashier and pay for the COVID-19 RT-PCR Test. The tests costs PHP 4,100.00 and you may pay via cash (in PHP) or Visa cards. Currency exchange is available at the terminal.

9. Claim your baggage at the designated carousel.

10. Go through Customs Check and your respective agencies/hotel representatives shall assist you to your designated shuttle/bus that will transfer you to your assigned hotel.

 

AT THE QUARANTINE HOTEL

11. Check in at your hotel and wait for your scheduled test, which is on day 6 of your quarantine stay.

Day 1 starts on the day you arrive in the Philippines. If you develop COVID-19 symptoms (e.g., dry cough, shortness of breath, loss of taste and/or smell, etc.) at any time before your scheduled test, please inform the hotel you are staying in so a medical or BOQ officer can assess and check up on you immediately.

12. For OFWs, your accommodation and food during your stay will be shouldered by the Philippine government. For non-OFWs, your accommodation and food during your stay will be at your own expense. Delivery of food and other essentials to your room are subject to the rules and regulations of the hotel.

 

GOING HOME

13. If you test positive, the Bureau of Quarantine will transfer you to a designated hospital for further medical management.
If you test negative, you will receive the test result via e-mail from the BOQ. 

For inquiries on test result, please contact the Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ) via [email protected] or call (032) 494-7000, 7688 to 7690.

14. You may call your relatives or respective Local Government Units to pick you up at your hotel or arrange your own transportation. If your ticket’s original destination is in Manila or outside Cebu Province, Philippine Airlines shall accommodate you on the next flight available to your final point of arrival (e.g., CEB-MNL, CEB-DVO, etc.). 

• For Land-Based OFWs, you may coordinate with OWWA or use the OWWA Uwian Na portal for further transportation needs after your final point of arrival.
• For Sea-Based OFWs, you may coordinate with your Local Manning Agency (LMA) for further transportation needs after your final point of arrival.
• For non-OFWs,please call our Cebu Hotline at +6332 340 0191 (8AM to 8PM) for changes on connecting flight/s.
 

Because of an additional domestic flight from Cebu, an airport terminal fee (or Passenger Service Charge / PSC) amounting to PHP 345.00 will be collected from you in Mactan Cebu Airport upon check-in. This is a fee charged by the Philippine Government or Philippine airport authorities for the use of airport terminal facilities, and in this case, the use of Mactan Cebu Airport for your domestic flight. The PSC is then remitted to the government or airport authorities upon the passengers’ flight departure from the airport. To avoid inconvenience, please prepare the PSC in Philippine Peso currency prior to check-in in Cebu.

15. If you have an onward PAL flight, please ensure to pre-register and secure all travel and health documents required by your destination’s Local Government Unit (LGU). 

16. Please complete your 14-day quarantine or self-isolation under the monitoring of your LGU and Barangay Health Emergency Response Teams (BHERT).

New Clark City

Arriving in Clark

BEFORE YOU FLY 

 1. Fill out the Health Declaration Card, Case Investigation Form, and the Affidavit of Undertaking. Click on each form to download a copy:

  • Health Declaration Card (HDC) 
  • Case Investigation Form – For OFWs
  • Case Investigation Form – For non-OFWs and non-Filipinos 
  • Case Investigation Form (CIF) – Additional CIF for all passengers
  • Affidavit of Undertaking (AOU)

2. For non-OFWs and foreign nationals, ensure to have a confirmed booking at a hotel accredited by Tourism and Health Agencies and for at least 7 nights. Passengers arriving before hotel standard check-in times are encouraged to book an additional night to ensure room availability. You must stay at your booked hotel for your scheduled test and until the test result is sent and a BOQ medical certificate is issued. 

Compare room rates and book on Booking.com in Clark.

DURING THE FLIGHT

3. During your flight, accomplish the Arrival Card.

 

WHEN YOU ARRIVE

 4. At the BOQ Desk, submit the Health Declaration Card to the Bureau of Quarantine Personnel.

5. For non-OFWs and non-Filipinos, proceed to Philippine Airport Diagnostic Laboratory (PADLab) desk for CIF verification and payment (Php 4,000.00).

6. Proceed to your designated desk for your hotel verification and assignment:

  • For OFWs, proceed to the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Desk 
  • For non-OFWs and foreign nationals, proceed to the DOT Desk.

7. Clear with Immigration and submit the Arrival Card.

8. Claim your baggage at the designated carousel and clear with Customs Check.

9. Proceed to your quarantine hotel.

  • For OFWs, a shuttle/bus provided by OWWA will take you to your assigned hotel.
  • For non-OFWs and foreign nationals, only pre-arranged airport-hotel transfer services or airport taxis are allowed to take you to your assigned hotel.

 

AT THE QUARANTINE HOTEL

10. Check in at your hotel and wait for your scheduled test, which is on day 6 of your quarantine stay. Wait for an e-mail of your swab test result, which you will receive in 24- 48 hours.

Day 1 starts on the day you arrive in the Philippines. If you develop COVID-19 symptoms (e.g., dry cough, shortness of breath, loss of taste and/or smell, etc.) at any time before your scheduled test, please inform the hotel you are staying in so a medical or BOQ officer can assess and check up on you immediately.

11. For OFWs, your accommodation and food during your stay will be shouldered by the Philippine government. For non-OFWs, your accommodation and food during your stay will be at your own expense. Delivery of food and other essentials to your room are subject to the rules and regulations of the hotel.

GOING HOME

12. If you test positive, the Bureau of Quarantine will transfer you to a designated hospital for further medical management.
If you test negative, the Bureau of Quarantine will send you your test result together with a Medical Clearance Certificate. Present this together with your test result for clearance from your hotel.

13. You may call your relatives or respective Local Government Units to pick you up at your hotel or arrange your own transportation.

  • For Land-Based OFWs, you may coordinate with OWWA or use the OWWA Uwian Na portal for further transportation needs.
  • For Sea-Based OFWs, you may coordinate with your Local Manning Agency (LMA) for further transportation needs.
  • For non-OFWs and foreign nationals, if your ticket’s original destination is in Manila or outside Clark, Philippine Airlines shall accommodate you on a shuttle/bus that will take you to NAIA Terminal 2. Please coordinate with your hotel so that they can notify us that you are ready to be transferred to Manila.

You may also wish to be accommodated on the next flight available to your final point of arrival (e.g., CRK-DVO). Call our Reservations Hotline at +6328855-8888 (8AM to 8PM) for changes on connecting flight/s. If you wish to depart from Clark, an airport terminal fee (or Passenger Service Charge / PSC) amounting to PHP 150.00 will be collected from you in Clark International Airport upon check-in. To avoid inconvenience, please prepare the PSC in Philippine Peso currency prior to check-in in Clark. For OFWs, the airport terminal fee shall be shouldered by OWWA or your LMAs.

14. If you wish to terminate your travel in Clark instead, you must sign a Declaration and Release Form from PAL, available at the reception desk of your hotel.

15. If you have an onward PAL flight, please ensure to pre-register and secure all travel and health documents required by your destination’s Local Government Unit (LGU). 

16.  Please complete your 14-day quarantine or self-isolation under the monitoring of your LGU and Barangay Health Emergency Response Teams (BHERT).

 

For more information and a guide on arrival and quarantine procedures when arriving in the Philippines, click here: https://bit.ly/PALTravelsToPH

 

 

 
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