Philippines Eases Travel Restrictions for 10 Countries, Tourism Remains Closed
The Philippines is not open for tourism but has eased entry restrictions for multiple countries recently.
Fully vaccinated nationals, residents permit holders, and those traveling for essential reasons visiting from low-risk countries are now allowed entry.
All fully vaccinated arrivals must submit a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 48 hours prior to boarding and undergo a 7-day quarantine at a government-approved quarantine hotel.
Unvaccinated visitors must quarantine for 14 days.
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Disclaimer: Travel restrictions and governmental regulations can change rapidly and the information below might be outdated within a few hours. Therefore, double-check all information with your embassy or on official websites. Traveling Lifestyle does not take any responsibility for your decision to travel.
Philippines Reopening – LATEST UPDATES
September 13 – The Philippines lifted travel restrictions for other 10 countries including the UAE
Last week, Duterte’s government decided to lift travel restrictions on visitors from the UAE, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Oman, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia.
The country remains closed for tourism. This step on Vietnam’s international reopening process only includes some categories of travelers.
For now, only Filipino citizens, foreign spouses, and parents or children of Filipino citizens, diplomats and foreign nationals with valid visas are permitted entry.
Source: NTravel
August 31 – Philippines will reopen economy when vaccination rate reaches 70% to 80%, says government
Local lockdowns will end as long as local government units (LGUs) are able to vaccinate 70 to 80 percent of their population.
Presidential adviser Joey Concepcion stated that the country could start creating “mall and restaurant bubbles” for fully vaccinated people to help recover the economy.
“We can only do this in an LGU once we have achieved the target of getting 70 to 80 percent vaccinations in that LGU,” Conception said.
On the other side, Moody’s Analytics Chief Economist Steven Cochrane considers that the Philippines’ policies to face COVID-19 will create delays on the economic recovery.
Source: Business World
COVID-19 situation in the Philippines
The CDC has ranked the Philippines as a level 3 travel risk.
As of September 13, the country has reported 2,248,071 cases of COVID-19 with 35,307 deaths.
Why Visit the Philippines?
The Philippines is a wonderful place for a tropical escape. It’s warm and, with more than 7,000 islands, has miles of white sand beaches for visitors to relax on.
The waters are crystal clear and provide opportunities for snorkelers, divers, kayakers, and fishermen.
Some of these locations, such as Boracay, Palawan, and Siargao, constantly make it into the top beach destinations in the world.
There are also other natural wonders, such as the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park.
It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is the longest navigable underground river in the world. Travelers can take a tour through a cave system filled with impressive formations.
Tourists can also enjoy unique cuisine, vibrant local festivals, and some of the friendliest people in the world. Because the locals usually speak English, visitors find it easy to communicate.
Filipinos are proud of their country and love to answer visitors’ questions.
It’s also an inexpensive travel destination. Travelers can get a day tour for about $20 and decent meals for under $5.
Philippines Reopening: Update Archives
August 16 – Philippines extends travel ban on the UAE and other 9 countries until August 31
The Philippines has extended its travel ban on passengers visiting from the UAE, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Oman, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia.
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque Jr confirmed the President’s decision and also added that “this is a proactive measure amid the implementation of international border control
because of Covid-19 Delta variant,” Roque Jr said.
Last Saturday, hundreds of hospitals reported to be reaching full capacity. Indeed, some of them have already run out of intensive care unit beds for COVID-19 patients.
August 2 – The Philippines’ capital to go under total lockdown from August 6 to 20
The Philippines will return 13 million Manila people to lockdown to curb the spread of the Delta variant of the coronavirus, said government on July 27.
For 14 days, dine-in services in restaurants will not be allowed, and religious gatherings will be suspended. Other essential businesses such as barber shops can operate at 30% capacity.
Additionally, President Rodrigo Duterte warned that those who refuse to get vaccinated will not be allowed to leave their homes to protect other citizens’ lives.
He stated he’s ready to keep people who are “throwing viruses left and right” off the streets. “Well, for all I care, you can die anytime,” said Duterte.
Source: SCMP News
July 22 – The Philippines might enforce new additional restrictions this week
The Philippines has garnered a reputation for having one of the toughest and longest lockdowns in the world.
Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez said that he will not recommend enforcing any more restrictions at the government’s pandemic task force meeting this week due to concerns related to the economy.
However, President Rodrigo Duterte said it could be necessary “to reimpose stricter measures” as Delta cases rise and according to Lopez, Duterte has the final say.
Source: CNN
July 2 – Philippines to allow fully vaccinated visitors from 57 countries from July 1.
First and foremost, the Philippines is not open for tourism just yet. However, this is a major change in the country’s rather strict entry requirements.
Until June 30, only people who were vaccinated – in the Philippines – could visit. Now returning nationals and those visiting for compelling reasons from 57 low- risk countries are also allowed with a reduced 7-day quarantine.
“To those who received full vaccination outside the Philippines, you need to bring the official documents stating you were already vaccinated,” said Harry Roque in an online press conference on Tuesday.
Source: GulfNews
June 17 – The Philippines reopening date is “difficult to predict” says the government
Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat has recently stated that the date in which the Philippines will reopen for tourism is “difficult to predict” due to the new COVID-19 variants.
The Philippines is not alone in this uncertain world. Romulo-Puyat also mentioned that their Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ counterparts are experiencing the same issue.
“When I last spoke with my ASEAN tourism counterparts, nobody could give a date [to reopen] because of the volatility of the situation, especially with the new variants,” she said.
On the other hand, the country has eased domestic restrictions thanks to a drop in local case transmission.
Gyms, skating rinks, racket courts and museums in metropolitan Manila and adjacent provinces are now allowed to reopen at a limited capacity.
(Source: GMANews)
June 4 – The Philippines Bureau of Immigration supports the new reopening proposal
The Philippines has been closed to international tourists and even to their own nationals for most of the pandemic.
But enough is enough. At least, this is what several government sectors have expressed over the last month.
Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo Puyat recently asked the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) to allow the setting up of “green lanes” to permit fully vaccinated foreing visitors to come back and consequently, being able to reemploy thousands of jobless Filipinos.
Fortunately, she is not alone in her claims. The Philippines Bureau of Immigration (BI) has already backed her up.
“The bureau supports this initiative by the Department of Tourism (DOT) as it will not only resuscitate our tourism industry, but also generate employment for millions of Filipinos who lost their jobs due to the pandemic,” […] “opening the country’s borders to international leisure travelers will also hasten the revival of the commercial aviation and shipping industries severely affected by the pandemic,” said BI Commissioner Jaime Morente in a statement.
(Source: Manila Bulletin)
May 20 – Lapu-Lapu City in the Philippines has reopened for domestic tourism and returning residents
It’s confirmed. After 6 months of a severe lockdown, Lapu-Lapu city, home to the second busiest airport in the Philippines has reopened its posh resorts and the rest of tourist spots for domestic tourism. The Kawasan Falls in Badian town and resorts in Malapascua, Sumilon and Bantayan, are now open to local visitors and returning residents who had been banned from entering the country some weeks ago.
Cebu police director Col. Engelbert Soriano sent policemen to ensure all health protocols are observed.
As of yet, the country continues to be closed for international tourism. However, Mayor Junard Chan is reportedly lobbying to make it possible to also reopen it to international visitors.
Chan cited Resolution 113 of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, which states foreigners can enter the country by providing they have a valid visa and pre-booked accommodation for at least seven nights in an accredited hotel or facility.
The central government has not replied yet.
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