A Quick Guide on IATF’s Uniform Domestic Travel Protocols

The Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) released updated domestic travel protocols last February 27 via an online media briefing. The guidelines, which were laid out under IATF Resolution No. 101, covers domestic travel protocols for land, sea, and air travel. It was created by a collaboration between local government units (LGU) and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

The first part of the resolution talks about the continued implementation of standard health protocols such as proper coughing etiquette, hand hygiene, wearing of face masks and face shields, and physical distancing at all times.

The resolution tackles protocols for entry and exit points in travel destinations. All ports of entry and exits will have health assessments to screen travelers and make sure that only asymptomatic non-close contact individuals will be allowed to enter the destination area. Medical doctors will be in charge of the mandatory health assessments of passengers and tourists.

When it comes to COVID-19 testing, it will depend on the LGU of the destination, but it is not mandatory for all areas anymore. Provinces, highly urbanized cities (HUCs), and independent component cities (ICCs) will have to decide if testing will be required prior to travel. Tourists who would go to areas that require testing are recommended to undergo RT-PCR screening since it is the only accepted method at the moment.

Along with COVID-19 testing, travelers are also not required to undergo quarantine unless they show symptoms of COVID-19 upon arrival. Because of this, all terminals are still required to have sufficient isolation and quarantine facilities. Symptomatic individuals shall also undergo a referral system so they can be transferred to quarantine facilities with the assistance of health officials (for LGUs) and Bureau of Quarantine (for airports).

As for travel documents, travelers will no longer have to secure and bring a travel authority and health certificates. However, authorized persons outside residence (APORs) will need to present their identification card, travel itinerary, and travel order in all entry and exit points of their destinations as per IATF Resolution No. 98-A which was issued last February 4, 2021.

Contact tracing and other COVID-19 apps shall also be used by travelers. These include the Safe, Swift, and Smart Passage (S-PaSS) Travel Management System, Traze App, and StaySafe.Ph. Other contact tracing apps can also be used, but they should be integrated with StaySafe.ph.

Buses from Metro Manila that are bound for provinces are also required to use the Integrated Terminal Exchange. All bus companies shall be prohibited to use private terminals. Meanwhile, for air and seaport arrivals, LGUs can also provide transportation for travelers who are travelling between different government units.

Visit Yoorekka for more updates on travel protocols for domestic travel amid the pandemic.