Shortened Quarantine Eyed For Returning Pinoys

A Philippine Airlines (PAL) proposal to reduce the quarantine period for fully vaccinated passengers from North America has gained support from Palace economic adviser Joey Concepcion.

Photo Insert: Pinoy OFWs celebrate their arrival in Manila.

PAL had proposed that fully vaccinated travelers from the United States and Canada be allowed to quarantine at home three days after testing negative in a quarantine facility. Before, fully vaccinated travelers have to undergo a seven or 10-day quarantine depending on whether they come from the so-called green country or not.

PAL is also proposing that fully vaccinated passengers traveling via the airline be tested for the virus 72 hours before their scheduled departure. The strict quarantine guidelines mandated by the government have been hit by Filipinos intending to return as they have to undergo lengthy quarantine aside from having to occupy a room for each member, regardless of whether they belong in one family or not.

Under the new proposal, Concepcion wants the returning Filipinos to continue their quarantine at home after they are tested three days upon arrival. In that way, they will be spared the extra costs of the quarantine guidelines.

"The aviation industry is on the brink of collapse. If we don’t help the airline industry now, we might face a huge problem on how to travel in the future," Concepcion said.

"With the Christmas season fast approaching, it’s now high time for the government to consider shorter quarantine for fully vaccinated travelers from other countries, especially North America."

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