Malacañang announced on Friday that the Philippines is reopening its borders to all fully vaccinated travelers this coming April.
Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Kristian Ablan led the press briefing on the matter. He announced, “Foreign nationals may enter the Philippines without need of an entry exemption document provided that they comply with the applicable visa requirements and immigration entry and departure formalities.”
Prior to the announcement, the Philippines had a list of countries whose residents were required to present COVID-19 certificates for entry protocol.
Ablan said that under the new protocol, foreigners may enter the country as long as they present proof of vaccination. They must also present a negative RT-PCR test taken 48 hours prior to departure.
Accepted proof includes those from WHO and the Philippines. The country will also accept digital vaccination certificates from countries that have accepted VaxCertPH.
Vaccinated travelers are no longer required to undergo facility- based quarantine. They must self-monitor for a week and immediately report to the local government if they feel symptoms.
Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat commends the reopening. She said, “It’s timely because Asia is the last [region] to reopen to tourism and it starts with the Philippines.”