President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has approved an Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) recommendation to further ease entry restrictions for foreign inbound passengers and travelers.
Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin issued on Friday issued a memorandum informing the IATF the President has approved its Resolution No. 2 (s. 2022) in “the interests of public safety and in pursuit of safe resumption of travels to the Philippines.”
Office of the Press Secretary (OPS) Officer-in-Charge Cheloy E. Velicaria-Garafil said the memorandum took effect immediately after it was issued by Bersamin last week.
Under IATF Resolution No. 2, pre-departure testing for fully vaccinated inbound travelers, whether Filipino or foreign nationals will no longer be required.
It noted inbound travelers would be deemed “fully vaccinated” if they received a second in a two-dose series or a single dose Covid-19 vaccine more than 14 days to the date and time of departure from the country of origin/port of embarkation.
They must also present the following proof of vaccinations: World Health Organization International Certificate of Vaccination and Prophylaxis; VaxCertPH; National or state manual/digital vaccination certificate of the country/foreign government; and other proof of vaccination.
In case they are unvaccinated, partially vaccinated, or whose vaccination status cannot be independently validated, they must undergo pre-departure or post arrival testing.
Bersamin reminded the Bureau of Quarantine, Department of Health and other concerned agencies to already identify other acceptable proof of vaccinations that may be presented by the inbound travelers.
He said this would prevent confusion and inconvenience on the part of travelers.
Aside from the easing of entry protocols, the government also made the wearing of face masks voluntary in an attempt to attract more foreign tourists in the country.