MANILA -- Fully vaccinated foreign nationals of non-visa required countries who came from Green list countries, territories, and jurisdictions may soon be allowed entry to the Philippines beginning 1 December 2021 until 15 December 2021, said Acting Presidential Spokesperson Secretary Karlo Nograles.

In a press briefing on November 26, 2021, Secretary Nograles who also sits as concurrent spokesperson of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID), cited IATF Resolution No. 150-A, which states that entry of foreign nationals shall be subject to the following conditions.

“Una, holders of passports valid for at least six months at the time of arrival, and with a return or outbound ticket to their country of origin or next country of destination. Pangalawa, prior to arrival in the Philippines, the foreign national should have stayed exclusively in Green List countries, territories, and jurisdictions for 14 days,” said Sec. Nograles.

The Palace official added that foreign nationals who will be allowed entry must present the following proofs of COVID-19 vaccination recognized under existing IATF regulations: (1) World Health Organization International Certificates of Vaccination and Prophylaxis; (2) VaxCertPH; or (3) National/state digital certificate of the foreign government which has accepted VaxCertPH under a reciprocal arrangement, unless otherwise permitted by the IATF.

With regard to testing and quarantine protocols, Sec. Nograles said the IATF approved the following protocols: first, a negative RT-PCR test shall be required to be taken within 72 hours prior to departure from the country of origin. Upon arrival, no facility-based quarantine and no on-arrival RT-PCR test will be further required but the passenger is enjoined to self-monitor for any symptoms until the 14th day with the first day being the date of arrival.

For travelers merely transiting through non-Green List countries/territories/jurisdictions, they shall not be deemed as having come from or having been to said countries/territories/jurisdictions if they stayed in the airport the whole time and were not cleared for entry by its immigration authorities.

Meanwhile, for minors, they shall follow the testing and quarantine protocol of the parent or guardian traveling with them, regardless of the minor’s vaccination status and country of origin.

For those who will arrive in the country without the test-before-travel requirements, they shall be governed by protocols for unvaccinated individuals coming from the Green List. They shall be required to undergo facility-based quarantine until the release of a negative RT-PCR test taken on the fifth day and shall be required to self-monitor until the 14th day of their arrival.

“This is something that we are doing step by step. So ang nilabas na Resolution ng IATF is hanggang December 15, but upon the implementation of this ng December 1, syempre imo-monitor natin, we will make proper adjustments kung kinakailangan while we are monitoring its implementation on the ground,” said Nograles.

On the part of the Bureau of Immigration (BI), its spokesperson Dana Sandoval said they have already implemented several measures to ensure the readiness of Immigration employees for the expected influx of travelers during the holiday season. Sandoval added that the BI has resumed the use of its e-gates for arriving Filipinos, especially for overseas Filipino workers who will be coming home for the holidays.

The Immigration spokesperson assured that they will be very particular in implementing the guidelines for the entry of foreign nationals starting December 1, 2021, wherein only tourists coming from the Green List within the last 14 days will be allowed entry, and that they should come from visa-free countries. (OPS)