Philippines to revert to pre-pandemic entry rules for fully-vaccinated travellers

As per the latest developments, the Philippines will be reverting to pre-pandemic entry rules for fully vaccinated foreign nationals from visa-required countries; the same would come into force from April 1.

Referring to this, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Kristian Ablan stated that foreign nationals may enter the Philippines without the need of an entry exemption document (EED), provided they comply with applicable visa requirements, immigration entry and departure formalities.
While addressing a conference, Ablan added that nationals must be fully vaccinated, except for children below 12 years old, who are travelling along with their fully vaccinated foreign parents.

He also added that foreign nationals entering the country must present a negative RT-PCR test taken within 48 hours, acceptable proof of vaccination, or a negative laboratory-based antigen test that has been taken within 24 hours before departure from the country of origin.
The spokesperson further added that once the visitors enter the country, they are no longer required to undergo facility-based quarantine, but will need to self-monitor for any sign or symptom for seven days from arrival. Reports have it that with the new policy, the country will open to all travellers including tourists.

The announcement of the new entry policy came five days after President Rodrigo Duterte ordered easing entry of foreign tourists into the country to boost international tourism, and increase foreign investment.
The latest measure is a part of the government's effort to push the country's recovery from the pandemic. The Southeast Asian country reopened its doors to foreign leisure travellers on February 10, from 157 visa-free countries after over two years of pandemic lockdown.