It’s a really challenging time for travelers. With the COVID-19 pandemic, there’s been a lot of medical jargon being thrown around, unknown acronyms, long list of requirements that vary per destination, expensive tests, and the very real risk of getting sick or stuck in a quarantine facility. Most people have chosen to avoid traveling altogether unless it’s really essential, and I can’t blame them.

I recently had to go through the tedious process for a work trip to Bohol that involved air travel. And while I enjoyed the destination very much once I got there, what went on behind the scenes before and after made me reassess if it’s really worth traveling for leisure at this time.

Travel used to just involve booking a ticket to your destination, packing your bags and going there by bus, ferry, or plane or personal vehicle. You could decide where to stay or what to do as you go along. Now, travel has become very restrictive and involves a whole lot of paperwork, which will dissuade potential leisure travelers.

Seriously, it’s worse than a Skyrim sidequest. To obtain one document you need to go to so many different agencies first, and time everything properly so as to avoid a domino effect. Everything needs to be pre-booked beforehand.

You also have to carefully check the requirements of both LGU of origin and destination because every destination has its own set of requirements that vary based on different factors including what type of traveler you are, the quarantine level classification you’re coming from, and abide by any new rules put in place by the IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases).

Anyway, to serve as a reference, I’m sharing my experience getting some of the requirements in this “new normal” phase of travel.

Please note that this is based on my personal experience as an Authorized Person Outside Residence (APOR), traveling for work on a DOT event from Quezon City to Bohol, which had not yet reopened to tourists at the time. Travel requirements may vary per destination & your reason for travel.

Types of travelers & what you need

APOR: Authorized Person Outside Residence

People who are authorized to move around without a quarantine pass, essentially those who can work during this time including:

1. Health and emergency frontline services personnel
2. Government officials and government frontline personnel
3. Duly authorized humanitarian assistance actors (HAAs)
4. Persons traveling for medical or humanitarian reasons
5. Persons going to the airport for travel abroad
6. Anyone crossing zones for work permitted in the zone of destination and going back home.
7. Returning or repatriated OFWs and other Overseas Filipinos (OFs) returning to their places of residence
8. Other persons transported through the efforts of the national government upon observance of the necessary quarantine protocols and with the concurrence of the receiving LGUs

• Company ID
• Certificate of Employment
• The local government of the destination may also require a Travel Authority

LSI: Locally Stranded Individual

Foreign nationals or Filipino citizens in a specific locality within the Philippines who have expressed intention to return to their place of residence / home origin. LSIs can be further classified into workers, students; tourists; and other individuals stranded in various localities while in transit.

• Identification Card
• Medical Clearance Certificate from City/Municipality
• Travel Authority issued by JTF-CV Shield/Permit to travel

OFWs: Overseas Filipino Workers

• Identification Card
• Travel Authority issued by JTF-CV Shield
• Negative RT-PCR result
• Certificate issued by Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ)
• Proof of Residence
• Valid Passport

FIT: Free independent travelers

This category includes tourists and leisure travelers. Each destination has a different set of requirements. View the specific gudelines for reopened destinations here.

Not allowed to travel

• Leisure travelers (except for destinations that have reopened)
• Persons below 21 years old
• Persons 60 years old and above
• Pregnant women
• PUI: Person Under Investigation – someone showing symptoms of COVID-19
• PUM: Person Under Monitoring – someone who doesn’t show symptoms of COVID-19 but is being watched by authorities as a suspected case due to contact with suspected cases

Frequently needed requirements for travel

Below are some of the common travel requirements you’ll need. Because of the processing time and small window of validity of some of the requirements, you will need to start applying for your documents a week before your intended travel date.

Barangay Certificate

• What it is: A document stating the traveler is not included in the list of PUM / PUI of the Barangay and did not display symptoms associated with COVID-19.
• Where to get it: LGU of origin / Barangay Hall of the locale where you presently residing
• Requirement: Valid ID; proof of residence
• Cost: Free
• Processing time: Varies. It took me 5-10 minutes to get mine processed by just showing my ID, but I went there right as they opened at 8:30 am. The signatory wasn’t there the previous afternoon, so I had to go back.
• Note: The document is not valid without the official seal of the barangay

Medical Clearance Certificate

• What it is: A document issued by a City or Municipal Health Office stating that the traveler seen on that day did not manifest symptoms associated with COVID, and had no fever, shortness of breath, headaches, etc. at the time of examination.
• Where to get it: City or Municipal Health Office (you can not get this from private clinics; it has to be signed by a City or Municipal Health Officer)
• Requirements: Barangay Certificate
• Cost: Free
• Processing time: Varies per LGU. It took me 3 hours to obtain this by manually lining up at QC Hall at 9:00 am. I got the certificate at around noon. Those based in Makati have an online application system, but processing takes 3 days.
• Validity: In some cases it can take 1-3 days before the Medical Certificate is available for release and it has a limited time validity of only 2-3 days.
• Note: For QC, the interviewer just asked my name, age, address, date of travel, reason for travel, then took my temperature. The Medical Certificate needs to be signed a City or Municipal Health Officer.

Travel Authority/Pass

• What it is: Official endorsement of the concerned local Task Force for a person to pass at Quarantine control points / checkpoints, Seaports and airports.  This is a requirement for crossing provincial and regional borders and being allowed entry by the receiving LGU
• Where to get it: Joint Task Force COVID Shield of the PNP). Issued by Municipal or City Chief of Police for travel between provinces with a region or Provincial Director if travel between regions.
• Requirements: Barangay Certificate & Medical Certificate. Present the original and give photocopies of the documents. You’ll be asked to fill a form stating reason for travel, place of origin, place of destination, travel date, name of driver, and vehicle (make series, color and plate#) or flight details if applicable.
• Cost: Free
• Processing time: Varies. It took me 30 mins to apply for it at Camp Karingal in Quezon City, right after the lunch break. I was able to get it on the same day I applied for the Brgy. Certificate and Medical Clearance.
• Validity: The travel authority is only valid for the date of travel indicated.
• Note: You will be interviewed by the officer-in-charge based on the details provided. Your application will be processed and will be coordinated with the destination LGU and Police Station. Once approved, the application will be encoded and you will be notified once available for release. Each document has its own QR Code and needs to be signed by the proper signatory.

• For Barangay to Barangay – Approval by Chief of Police
• For Province to Province – Approval by Regional Director
• For Region to Region – Approval by Regional Director / RJTF CV Shield Commander
• For Cities/Municipalities – Approval by District Director

Types of COVID-19 Tests

RT-PCR: Real-time Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction

• What it is: Considered the “gold standard” in COVID-19 testing, the RT-PCR detects the presence of viral RNA and is said to be very accurate and efficient. This test is able to detect a COVID-19 infection even before the person becomes infectious and will allow early isolation. Thus, this method is able to prevent the transmission of the virus to other hosts. This is the most expensive of the COVID-related tests, takes longer evaluation time, and needs highly professional staff for sample handling.

• Where to get it: Accredited clinics and COVID-19 testing labs. We got it done at Clearbridge Medical Philippines along V. Luna in Diliman, Quezon City. Some Airlines have their own accredited RT-PCR testing facilities at the airport.
• Requirements: Reservations recommended to ensure slots, but some clinics accept walk-ins
• Cost: Private clinics and facilities charge anywhere from P4,000 to P13,000 for RT-PCR tests depending on the turnaround time. Clearbridge Medical Clinic charges P6,000 for 24-hour guaranteed results. The most affordable RT-PCR tests in the Philippines cost P1,800 from UP-PGH and other selected clinics. DOT is currently offering a subsidy for RT-PCR tests that will bring down the cost to just P900.

READ MORE: DOT makes RT-PCR test more affordable for tourists

• Processing time: Most RT-PCR tests are processed in 3-5 working days, but will accept rush 24 hour results, for a higher fee.
• Validity: Destinations usually require RT-PCR results taken 24-72 hours prior to departure.
• Note: An RT-PCR test is a requirement to enter particular destinations that have reopened to tourism that require air travel (ex. Boracay, Bohol, Coron, El Nido, etc.) and to take international flights.

• What is the process like? To collect samples, they stick a long cotton bud down your throat and swirl it around, which can cause you to have a gag reflex. Then you have to breathe in deeply, as they stick two other long cotton buds up both nostrils, one at a time. The process can make you cry and it will feel like you drowned a bit and swallowed water through your nose. It’s a bit painful and uncomfortable, but it’s quick, so you can just try and get it over with as quickly as possible.

Rapid Antigen Test

• What it is: The Antigen test (frequently referred to as a rapid test) detects protein fragments specific to the Coronavirus. The disadvantage is that these tests are not as sensitive (accurate) as the standard RT-PCR tests used to accurately identify those infected. When using them, a significant percentage of those infected pass the test as a false negative. In a few days, these people will spread the virus among others, thinking they are healthy. Their advantage is the price, faster turnaround time and lower demands on the expertise of the staff.
• Where to get it: This can be done in a clinic, doctor’s office, hospital or through airline partners.
• Cost: P699.00 in Clearbridge Medical Clinic
• Processing time: Turnaround time for results is usually very quick and in some cases, results can be reported within 15 – 30 minutes
• Note: An Antigen test is required to enter certain domestic destinations like General Santos City and Butuan.

• What is the process like? I haven’t done this myself, but according to another travel blogger friend, the swab is done in both nostrils and not the throat and results are released can be released immediately. 1 and no red line means negative, while 2 lines means positive. It’s not as painful as the RT-PCR.

Saliva Test

• What it is: In the Philippines, the Department of Health has approved the use of COVID-19 Saliva tests as an alternative specimen for RT-PCR testing among Philippine Red Cross (PRC) laboratories. This type of collection, which involves testing collected saliva specimen, is cheaper and non-invasive.
• Where to get it: The Red Cross has a number of site collection areas around the Philippines. View all locations here.
• Cost: The cost for a saliva test is P 2,000, which is half the price of the normal RT-PCR.
• Processing time: Three to four hours

Antibody test

This test measures antibodies to the SARS-CoV-2 virus in the bodies of people who have already had COVID-19 or are successfully recovering from the disease. Antibodies are not present at the onset of the disease.

Airlines offering RT-PCR & Antigen Tests

To make it easier and more convenient for travelers, airlines have come up with their own in-house packages with DOH accredited testing partners to offer RT-PCR and/or Antigen tests exclusively for their ticket holders.

Philippine Airlines (PAL)

• RT-PCR: P3,300 (results released in 24-hours)
• Antigen Test: P700 (results released in 30 mins)
• Testing sites: Philippine Airlines Learning Center in Ermita, Manila
• Testing partner: Detoxicare Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory

Cebu Pacific

• RT-PCR: P3,300 and P900* (for first 100 tourists/day in PGH) (results in 24 hours)
• Antigen Test: P700 (results in 30 minutes)
• Testing sites: PADLAB Facility, 3F NAIA Terminal 3, on site at PGH, Health Metrics and SDDI
• Testing Partner: Philippine Airport Diagnostic Laboratory

Air Asia

• RT-PCR Package: P7,600 for 2 tests (or P3,800 per test) (results under 48 hours)
• Antigen Test: P1,000 (results in 30-60 minutes)
• Testing site: PADLAB Facility, 3F NAIA Terminal 3
• Testing partner: Hi-Precision Diagnostics

Contact Tracing Apps

Trace Contact Tracing App

Starting November 28, 2020, all passengers flying to and from any airport in the Philippines must download and register through Traze Contact Tracing, a unified and automated contact tracing app, before proceeding to the airport.

Specific LGUs may have their own contact tracing systems and apps you also need to download. You’ll also be filling a lot of Online Passenger and Health Declaration Cards.

Quarantine Classifications & Levels

As a measure to limit the spread of COVID-19 in the Philippines, there are varying stages of lockdowns or “community quarantines” imposed by the government. Travel is only allowed from GCQ to and from MGCQ areas.

• ECQ: Enhanced Community Quarantine
• MECQ: Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine
• GCQ: General Community Quarantine
• MGCQ: Modified General Community Quarantine
• New Normal

As of December 1 to 31, all areas in the Philippines are still under Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ) except for the following places that are under General Community Quarantine (GCQ):

• LUZON
  • Batangas
  • Metro Manila
• VISAYAS
  • Tacloban City
  • Iloilo City
• MINDANAO
  • Davao City
  • Davao del Norte
  • Iligan City
  • Lanao del Sur

Please note that travel policies change very frequently, so make sure to double check the government restrictions and regulations of both the national government and the local government prior to any bookings.