BI Commissioner Jaime Morente, in an advisory said that in compliance with the resolution from the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID) issued on Thursday, fully vaccinated nationals of non-visa required countries under Executive Order No. 408 s. 1960 as amended, shall be allowed to enter the Philippines.
A total of 157 countries are considered visa free, including the United States of America, South Korea, Japan, Australia, Canada, UK, Malaysia, and Singapore.
According to Morente, arriving tourists are required to present a passport valid for at least 6 months, and the required proof of vaccination against COVID-19.
Accepted proofs of vaccination are World Health Organization International Certificates of Vaccination and Prophylaxis, VaxCertPH, or national/state digital certificate of the foreign government which has accepted VaxCertPH under a reciprocal arrangement unless otherwise permitted by the IATF-MEID.
The advisory also stated that beginning February 1, arriving passengers must submit a negative RT-PCR test valid for 48 hours prior to departure from their country of origin.
Those fully vaccinated are no longer required to undergo facility-based quarantine, but shall self-monitor for 7 days.
Meanwhile, unvaccinated, partially vaccinated, and those whose vaccination status cannot be confirmed shall undergo the required quarantine protocols as implemented by the Bureau of Quarantine and the local government units.
Morente emphasized that minors are exempt from providing proof of vaccination.
Morente said the opening of the country’s borders to foreign tourists is a welcome development, adding that the move is considered a giant leap towards the rebound of the tourism and international travel sector.