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The Philippines to re-open to tourists

The Philippines has announced that it will start to accept fully-vaccinated foreign leisure travelers from visa-free countries beginning 10th February 2022. Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat made the announcement after the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) approved the proposal of the Department of Tourism (DOT). It is the first time in 2 years that the country has been open to overseas tourists. The country classification system will be suspended from tomorrow when fully-vaccinated returning overseas Filipinos will also no longer be required to undergo quarantine as long as they are able to present a negative result of an RT-PCR test taken 48 hours prior to departure from point of origin. Likewise, starting 10th February and upon consultation with health experts, qualified leisure travelers will also no longer be required to undergo quarantine as long as they are able to present a negative result of an RT-PCR test taken 48 hours prior to departure from point of origin. Based on the IATF-EID guidelines, leisure travelers from visa-free countries will be allowed to enter the country, provided that their passports are valid for at least six months at the time of arrival, and they possess outbound tickets to their country of origin or next country of destination. Leisure visitors must also carry proof of vaccination against COVID-19 that are recognized by the IATF-EID. They include certificates of vaccination issued by the World Health Organization (WHO), VaxCertPH of the Department of Health (available at https://vaxcert.doh.gov.ph), and a national or state digital certificate of a foreign government which has accepted VaxCertPH under a reciprocal arrangement unless otherwise permitted by the IATF. The list of countries whose nationals are allowed to enter the Philippines without a visa are those listed under EO 408 and can be found in this link: https://dfa.gov.ph/list-of-countries-for-21-day-visa

Paul Johnson

Paul Johnson is Editor of A Luxury Travel Blog and has worked in the travel industry for more than 30 years. He is Winner of the Innovations in Travel ‘Best Travel Influencer’ Award from WIRED magazine. In addition to other awards, the blog has also been voted “one of the world’s best travel blogs” and “best for luxury” by The Telegraph.

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3 Comments

  1. There are encouraging signs that we may be moving towards the end game with COVID. It’s good news that countries are opening up their borders again.

  2. The Philippines weren’t on my travel radar until I read this. Fantastic pictures want me to get on a plane right now.

  3. Let’s hope that other countries follow soon. A world with closed borders isn’t good for anyone, apart from for nationalist populist politicians.

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