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Correction: This article was originally published with the news that a negative PCR test result would need to be taken no more than 48 hours prior to arrival in the Philippines. This is the information we received at the time, however, it is now recorded on the UK Government’s FCDO travel information section as 48 hours prior to departure from your home country. We have corrected this information in light of the updated information.
The Philippines’ government has announced that the country will open to fully-vaccinated tourists from 10 February. Tourists from ‘visa-free’ nations – those who would ordinarily be able to purchase a visa on arrival in the Philippines, rather than apply for a visa in advance – will be allowed to enter the country without having to quarantine, upon production of a proof they are fully vaccinated, and a negative PCR test taken no more than 48 hours prior to departure from their country of origin.
Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat made the announcement on 28 January after the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) approved the proposal of the Department of Tourism (DOT).
The Philippines’ Task Force had previously approved the entry of fully-vaccinated tourists from a ‘Green List’ of countries on 1 December 2021, however, the lifting of restrictions was suspended following the emergence of the omicron variant.
Fully-vaccinated tourists and Philippine natives will be allowed to enter the country, providing they can provide proof of vaccination and a negative PCR test taken no more than 48 hours prior to arrival in the Philippines.
‘Fully vaccinated’ is defined by the Philippines government as ‘someone who has more than or equal to 2 weeks after having received the second dose in a 2-dose vaccine; or more than or equal to 2 weeks after having received a single-dose vaccine.’
‘We at the DOT are very thankful to our partners in the IATF-EID for approving our proposal to allow the entry of foreign leisure travellers,’ said Secretary Puyat. ‘The Department sees this as a welcome development that will contribute significantly to job restoration, primarily in tourism-dependent communities, and in the reopening of businesses that have earlier shut down during the pandemic.
‘We are also aware that there is no room for complacency given the unpredictability of the virus,’ added Puyat. ‘We will closely monitor the situation and ensure that health and safety protocols are strictly implemented in all tourism establishments.’
A note on the Philippines Airways information page states that from 16 February, proof of full vaccination will be a condition of entry for all foreign visitors to the Philippines. The page also has a useful list of the protocols that will be implemented for passengers arriving in the Philippines.
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