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Disclaimer: Travel restrictions and governmental regulations can change rapidly and the information below might be outdated within a few hours.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

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.

April 16 – The Philippines’ President to take control over private facilities by force due to the pandemic emergency.

The Presidential Communications Operations Office has announced today that President Rodrigo Duterte, will “invoke the police power” to take control over private hotels and health facilities since the country’s health system is about to collapse.

“We are in a critical condition, there is no space for the doctors and the nurses to move and stay healthy, then we begin to exercise the police power of the state. When we are pushed to the wall, either by the microbe itself or by external, internal, I can always order the military and the police to go there and confiscate the operation of the hotels,” President Duterte said on national T.V. yesterday.

Duterte also mentioned that this one is their less favorite option and it could be damaging in a democratic country such as the Philippines. But given that the country is in the middle of an international competition with many other developing countries to secure the few vaccines that the rich countries have left, they may need to proceed this way until they can guarantee a massive vaccination rollout.

March 23

President Rodrigo Duterte has recently said that he will be reopening the country’s economy soon. “I have to reopen the economy. I have given a timetable of just weeks. The President also called for a quick vaccination because “the economy must be opened in a short while.”

The Philippines plans to immunize 70 million of its 108 million people this year. However, the country is experiencing a shortage of vaccines because the government took too long to negotiate with the big pharma.

COVID-19 situation in the Philippines

The CDC has ranked the Philippines as a level 3 travel risk.

COVID-19 cases in the Philippines — Source

As of July 2, the country has reported 1,424,518 cases of COVID-19 with 24,973 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.

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