Malacañang announced on Friday that the Philippines would allow the entry of more foreigners with valid visas starting February 16.
According to Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, the government’s task force against COVID-19 on Thursday decided to ease travel restrictions on foreigners with visas issued as of March 20, 2020, and are still valid at the time of arrival in the Philippines.
“Tourists not allowed still unless with exemption,” Roque said.
“[The government will decide on exemptions on a] case-to-case [basis] but [there should be an] endorsement from [the] individual departments, for example, the DOE (Department of Energy) for energy-related concerns.”
Roque added the entry of foreign nationals would be subject to the maximum capacity of inbound passengers at the port and date of arrival.
Those allowed to enter the Philippines include a foreign parent of minor Filipinos, and foreign parent of Filipino children with special needs, accredited foreign government and international organization officials, foreign airline crew, foreigners with long-term and investor visas, and those for medical and emergency cases, including their medical escorts.
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PH allows entry of more foreigners starting Feb. 16
Foreigners who have valid and existing Special Resident Retiree’s Visa and Section 9(A) visas could also enter the Philippines “as long as they present an entry exemption document to the Bureau of Immigration upon arrival,” Roque said.
“This expanded list, however, is without prejudice to existing immigration laws, rules and regulations,” he said.
“The Commissioner of Immigration has the exclusive prerogative to decide on waiver or recall of exclusion orders for all foreign nationals allowed to enter the country under relevant IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases) resolutions.”
There is no longer a swab test at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) as part of the new protocol for those arriving at the airport from abroad.
The swab test will be conducted on the 6th day after arriving in the Philippines in the quarantine facilities instead of at NAIA.
Non-OFWs also need to prepare P4,000 for the swab test.