Rapid antigen test performed by health professionals OK'd as entry requirement

MANILA, Philippines — Inbound travelers may now present rapid antigen test results performed by healthcare professionals to enter the country, Malacañang said.

The government’s COVID-19 task force approved this Wednesday evening, according to acting presidential spokesperson Martin Andanar. 

The government requires that rapid antigen tests for entry requirements are administered and certified by a healthcare professional in a healthcare facility, laboratory, clinic, pharmacy or other similar establishments from the country of origin of the traveler.

Previously, the pandemic task force only approved negative laboratory-based antigen test results from arriving passengers.

The Philippines has been progressively easing entry rules and scrapping pandemic restrictions following a sharp drop in COVID-19 cases.

The task force also approved the recognition of the national COVID-19 vaccination certificates of Bangladesh, Mexico, Pakistan, and Slovak Republic.

The Philippines has confirmed 3.68 million COVID-19 cases since the pandemic started, with 59,422 deaths. — Gaea Katreena Cabico