PH Lifts Travel Restrictions

Foreigners Must Be Fully Vaxed!

30 January 2022

The Philippine government announced that it will lift travel restriction to the country beginning 1 February 2022, for visa-free travelers, and 16 February 2022, for all types of travelers,  after it reaches a target of vaccinating 90 million Filipinos by end of January this year.

Starting February 1, fully vaccinated inbound travelers will instead be required to present a negative RT-PCR test taken within 48 hours prior to departure from the country of origin, irrespective of color classification, and a verifiable vaccination card, Cabinet Secretary and acting presidential spokesperson Karlo Nograles said in a press briefing Sunday.

According to Nograles, the President approved the recommendation of the National Task Force for Emerging and Infectious Diseases (IATF), Task Force on COVID-19 New Variants and sub-Technical Working Group on Data Analytics, on  lifting of international travel restrictions, as the country attains wall immunity having vaccinated 75% of its population of 120 million by 31st January.

“Upon arrival, they shall no longer be required to observe mandatory facility-based quarantine,” he said.

Nograles added that for those unvaccinated, partially vaccinated, or individuals whose vaccination status cannot be independently validated will be required to undergo facility-based quarantine until the release of their negative RT-PCR test taken on the fifth day, in addition to a negative RT-PCR test taken within 48 hours prior to departure from the country of origin.

Also, children below 12 years old who cannot be vaccinated shall follow the quarantine protocols of parents or the accompanying guardian traveling with them.

Meaning, they will have to undergo facility-based quarantine for 5 days when they bring with them unvaccinated children, regardless of age.

“The unvaccinated, partially vaccinated individuals refers to returning Filipinos only,” says Nograles. 

“Foreign nationals will require presentation of full vaccination records at the airport of departure and negative RT-PCR test before they are permitted to fly the plane to Manila,” adds Nograles.