Starting today, February 1, selected foreigners will be allowed to enter the country once again.
It is said that the old status quo which is a total travel ban on foreign travelers from another country, will be reverted. The ban was implemented following the first detection of COVID-19 variant from United Kingdom.
“On February 1, we will go back to our old status quo before we even implemented the travel ban restrictions,” says Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles.
The ban was implemented to primarily stop the spread of the new COVID-19 variant in the country which is known to be more transmissible. It can be recalled that the first patient of this COVID-19 variant was a Filipino from Dubai. Those people who had close contact with him and some people who boarded the same flight as him also contracted the virus.
But, Nograles said that foreigners who are under tourist visas will still be prohibited from entering the country. Here is the list of foreign travelers allowed to enter the country;
Foreign spouses of Filipino nationals
Foreign minor children of Filipino nationals
Foreign children of Filipino nationals
Foreign parents of minor Filipino children
Foreign Seafarers
Foreign airline crew
Accredited foreign government and international organization officials and their dependents
Legal resident status visa
Valid long term visa holders
Permanent resident visa
Native-born visa
Foreign investors with a valid visa
Pre-arranged employment visa
Balikbayan traveling together with their children and spouse.
“We have a new protocol that they should have a pre-arranged quarantine facility. The minimum booking is seven days. They will be checked for symptoms,” says Nograles.
Foreign travelers must also book at an accredited quarantine facility or hotel. Swabbing will have to be done after 5 days since their arrival.
