While other nations have suspended or restarted travel restrictions due to the Omicron variant, Malacañang announced the easing of restrictions in the country.
Regardless of vaccination status, Filipinos can now freely enter the Philippines even if they are coming from countries placed under the ‘red list’ from January 16 to 31.
The countries in question are Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Canada, Curacao, French Guiana, Iceland, Malta, Mayotte, Mozambique, Puerto Rico, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Spain, and US Virgin Islands.
“Hindi na kailangan maghintay ng Bayanihan flights from these countries," acting presidential spokesperson, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, said in a Palace briefing on Friday.
All inbound travelers are required to present a negative RT-PCR test result taken 48 hours prior to departure for the Philippines.
Fully vaccinated travelers from, or have been in, red list countries will also be asked to undergo a facility-based quarantine with an RT-PCR test on the 7th day, and home quarantine up to 14 days.
Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated travelers must complete a 10-day facility-based quarantine, regardless of RT-PCR result, and stay in home quarantine until the 14th day from arrival.
Foreigners will be able to visit the country starting February 16, given that they have been immunized at least 14 days before traveling.
“Beginning Feb. 16, 2022, proof of full vaccination shall be made a requirement for entry of all foreign nationals allowed to enter the Philippines,” he said.
The following groups are exempted from the requirement:
-children below 18 years old
-people medically unable to receive the vaccine, as certified by a competent public health authority in the country or port of origin
-foreign diplomats and their qualified dependents or 9(e) visa holders
Nograles also announced the addition of India into the green list and Saudi Arabia in the red.
Green list countries are those considered as “low risk” for Covid-19, yellow list countries are those with “moderate risk”, while red list countries are deemed as “high risk”.
Tags: #travel, #redlistcountries, #karlonograles, #bayanihanflights, #covidrestrictions