MANILA, Philippines – The leading organization in the fight of COVID-19 in the Philippines, Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID) expanded the list of foreigners who can enter the Philippines as stated in IATF-MEID Resolution No. 98.
In a press statement, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said: ‘The Inter-Agency Task Force on Thursday, February 4, 2021, allowed the entry to the Philippines of foreign nationals with visas issued as of March 20, 2020, and still valid and existing at the time of entry, and who were not permitted to enter the country under previous IATF resolutions.’
Previously, only foreigners with valid visas, including personnel of accredited international organizations, and spouses and minor children of Filipino citizens were allowed to enter the Philippines due to the threat posed by the new variant of COVID-19, otherwise known as the UK variant.
With this new list, foreigners with valid and existing Special Resident and Retirees Visa (SRRV) and Section 9(a) or temporary visa can also go to the Philippines, so long as they present an entry exemption document to the Bureau of Immigration (BI) upon arrival.
While this may sound that the Philippines is relaxing its COVID-19 protocols, the foreign travelers still need to undergo strict guidelines and protocol, of which a pre-booked accommodation for at least six (6) nights in an accredited quarantine hotel or facility.
Also, a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) negative result must be obtained after the six (6) night stay at the accredited quarantine hotel or facility.
Lastly, the entry of foreign travelers are still subject to the “maximum capacity of inbound passengers at the port and date of entry.”
In a separate statement, Roque clarified that foreign tourists are still not allowed from visiting the country unless they are covered “with exemptions.”
Only BI Commissioner Jaime Morente 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 resolutions.
Additional Report: Philippine News Agency
Image Source: Philippine Star, Gulf News, Philippine News Agency
