Who else is itching to travel internationally? ME!

Although I reaaaaaally miss travelling internationally, quarantine protocols back in the PH is not something I’m patient about. Ha! I hope one day the PH will be part of the green lane countries so we can freely travel again!

Here’s an updated guide for arriving international passengers to Mactan Cebu International Airport.

All international passengers arriving at Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) shall observe the applicable arrival protocols in adherence to the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) Resolution Nos. 114, 119, 128-A, 136, 142, 142-A, 143, 144-A, and 144-B.

Testing and Quarantine Protocols

The applicable mandatory RT-PCR Testing and Quarantine protocols shall depend on the three requirements:

• Classification of the country of origin
• Verifiable vaccination status
• Valid documents and approval from the Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ)

🟢 GREEN LANE

For Fully Vaccinated Passengers

CASE 1: Permitted entry to PH:

• All Philippine passport holders
• Permitted foreign nationals
• Other permitted passengers (subject to applicable Immigration laws)

Requirements:

• WITH negative RT-PCR test result taken seventy-two (72) hours before departure to Cebu
• Presentation of valid documents and approved by BOQ

Swab upon arrival only, no need for second swab, facility or home-based quarantine

CASE 2: Permitted entry to PH:

• All Philippine passport holders only

Requirements:

• NO negative RT-PCR test result taken seventy-two (72) hours before departure to Cebu
• Presentation of valid documents and approved by BOQ

Swab upon arrival only, no need for second swab. Needs facility-based quarantine until receipt of negative RT-PCR result (advised to book quarantine for 24-48 hours). No need for 14-day home-based quarantine

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Unvaccinated, Partially Vaccinated, Unverifiable Vaccination Status

• All Philippine passport holders
• Permitted foreign nationals
• Other permitted passengers (subject to applicable Immigration laws)

Swab upon arrival, second swab on the 5th day. Needs facility-based quarantine, book for at least six (6) days. No need for 14-day home-based quarantine

Note: *If a second swab is required, only the result of the second swab test will be released and sent to the email address provided during registration.

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🟡 YELLOW LANE

For Fully Vaccinated Passengers

• All Philippine passport holders
• Permitted foreign nationals
• Other permitted passengers (subject to applicable Immigration laws)

Requirements:

• Presentation of required and valid documents with BOQ approval

Swab upon arrival, second swab on the 5th day. Needs facility-based quarantine, book for at least six (6) days plus ten (10) days home-based quarantine

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Unvaccinated, Partially Vaccinated, Unverifiable Vaccination Status

• All Philippine passport holders
• Permitted foreign nationals
• Other permitted passengers (subject to applicable Immigration laws)

Swab upon arrival, second swab on the 7th day. Needs facility-based quarantine, book for at least eight (8) days plus 6-day home-based quarantine (total of 14 days)

Note: *If a second swab is required, only the result of the second swab test will be released and sent to the email address provided during registration.

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🔴 RED LANE

Fully Vaccinated, Unvaccinated, Partially Vaccinated, Unverifiable Vaccination Status

• Only returning Filipinos (Philippine passport holders) with via government-initiated and non-government-initiated repatriation, permitted commercial flights

Swab upon arrival, second swab on the 7th day. Needs facility-based quarantine, book for at least ten (10) days plus 4-day home-based quarantine (total of 14 days)

Note: *If a second swab is required, only the result of the second swab test will be released and sent to the email address provided during registration.

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Country Classifications

Based on IATF Resolution Nos. 144-B, here’s the list of countries corresponding their classifications:

🟢 GREEN LANE

• Algeria
• American Samoa
• Bhutan
• Burkina Faso
• Cameroon
• Cayman Islands
• Chad
• China (Mainland)
• Comoros
• Republic of the Congo
• Cook Islands
• Eritrea
• Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
• Hong Kong (SAR of China)
• Kiribati
• Madagascar
• Mali
• Marshall Islands
• Federated States of Micronesia
• Montserrat
• Nauru
• New Zealand
• Nicaragua
• Niger
• Niue
• North Korea
• Northern Mariana Islands
• Palau
• Poland
• Saba (Special Municipality of the Kingdom of Netherlands)
• Saint Helena
• Saint Pierre and Miquelon
• Samoa
• Sierra Leone
• Sint Eustatius
• Solomon Islands
• Sudan
• Syria
• Taiwan
• Tajikistan
• Tanzania
• Tokelau
• Tonga
• Turkmenistan
• Tuvalu
• Uzbekistan
• Vanuatu
• Yemen

🟡 YELLOW LANE

• All other countries/territories/jurisdictions not listed under green or red lists.

🔴 RED LANE

• Romania

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Cost of Quarantine

• For OFWs, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) shall shoulder the cost of quarantine facility. 
• For non-OFW Filipinos and permitted foreign nationals, the cost of accommodation at the accredited quarantine hotel are shouldered by the passenger.  For the list of accredited hotels, visit https://bit.ly/MCIAAccreditedHotels or click the button below.

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Arrival Procedure

Step 1. Online Registration. Complete the online MCIA Passenger Arrival Registration Form via https://mactancebuairport.com/covid-19-registration within five (5) days before your scheduled arrival date at MCIA. Take note of the unique Barcode/Travel Reference Number (TRN) sent to your email address upon completion of the form.

Step 2. In-flight procedures. Prior to arrival, fill out the following forms distributed by the airline crew while on flight:

• Health Declaration Form
• Immigration Arrival Card

Step 3. Arrival briefing. Upon arrival, undergo required briefing by the Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ). 

Step 4. Validation. Once briefing is done, proceed to the Validation Counter and present the following: 

• Barcode/Travel Reference Number (TRN) 
• Passport
• Boarding Pass
• Health Declaration Form
• Hotel Reference Booking

Keep the printed barcode until the date of your scheduled swab test. 

Step 5. Temperature scan. Proceed to thermal scanning by the BOQ. Remember to temporarily take off your caps, eyewear, and face shield when undergoing thermal scan. 

Step 6. Immigration clearance. Proceed to the Immigration counter for clearance. Submit Immigration Arrival Card. 

Step 7. Proceed to designated counters. Proceed to the designated counters at the Arrival Reclaim Hall: 

• For OFWs: OWWA Counter for hotel accommodation assignment
• For non-OFW Filipinos and foreign nationals, proceed to swabbing area.

Step 8. Swab testing. All arriving international passengers shall be swabbed upon arrival at MCIA regardless of country classification. A second swab may be done depending on the classification of country of origin with reference to IATF Res. Nos. 143, 144-A and 144-B. View classification of countries here.

All swab tests will be administered by the Department of Health (DOH) Region 7.

Step 9. Claim luggage. Proceed to assigned reclaim belt to claim baggage.

Step 10. Waiting area. Proceed to the designated waiting area and wait for a representative from the respective agencies for Customs clearance: 

• OWWA for OFWs
• Accredited hotel representatives for returning non-OFW Filipinos and foreign nationals 

Step 11. Customs clearance. Proceed to Customs counter for clearance. 

Step 12. Quarantine facility transfer. Proceed to your designated vehicle with your respective agency representative for hotel or quarantine accommodation drop-off. 

Step 13. Releasing of second swab test results. For those required to take a second swab test, only the second swab test result shall be released through the email address provided in the online registration form.

• If swab test result is positive, BOQ will coordinate with the passenger for specific instructions. The passenger must comply with the mandated health, safety, and treatment protocols of the DOH and BOQ.
• If swab test result is negative, the passenger will receive the test result via email from the BOQ. 

For inquiries on test result, please contact the Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ) via boq@gmcac.ph or call (032) 494-7000 local 7688 to 7690. 

Step 14. Home bound. If swab test result is negative, coordinate with your LGU for further instructions on transport and specific quarantine protocols. For specific quarantine protocols, refer to the applicable protocols: IATF Resolution Nos. 114, 119, 128-A, 136, 142, 142-A, 143, 144-A, and 144-B.

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This guide is intended for international passengers bound for Cebu. Kindly ensure that you advise passengers or your recipients that they must still check with their preferred airlines and intended destinations for other specific requirements and protocols.

I hope this will help you with your future plans of traveling to Cebu. I will update this accordingly when new information is available.

Quick Link: >> DOMESTIC PASSENGER GUIDE HERE <<