IATF OKs use of ‘OneHealthPass’ starting Sept. 1

MANILA – International travelers who wish to enter the Philippines will be required to register through the OneHealthPass portal beginning September 1, Malacañang announced Friday.

This, after the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) has given its green light to the use of OneHealthPass, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a press statement.

“The Inter-Agency Task Force approved on Thursday, August 26, 2021, the adoption and promotion of the use of OneHealthPass of the Bureau of Quarantine and the Department of Transportation,” Roque, also acting as IATF-EID spokesperson, said.

The OneHeathPass portal, Roque said, should be used starting Sept. 1 amid the declaration of the state of national public health emergency.

“The OneHealthPass is an online platform that aims to promote the convenient and seamless movement of international travelers from departure from the country of origin to arrival at the local government unit of destination,” Roque said.

In July, the Philippine government required returning Filipinos to fill out the OneHealthPass declaration form through https://onehealthpass.com.ph/e-HDC/ before returning home.

The OneHealthPass portal requires registrants to submit their personal information, health status, and travel history,

After registration, a personal QR code will be issued to travelers and must be presented upon their arrival in the country.

Off-track betting stations’ operations

Meantime, the IATF-EID also granted the Philippine Racing Commission’s request to allow the resumption of operations of off-track betting stations (OTBs) in Metro Manila during the implementation of the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ), Roque said.

Roque, however, said the OTBs’ operations are still “subject to the approval of the concerned local government unit.”

“The operation of OTBs shall be strictly limited to selling of tickets and shall ensure the enforcement of health and safety protocols and observance of minimum public health standards within their premises,” he said.

Metro Manila is currently under MECQ until August 31.