Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 30) — While the government is no longer extending its ban on areas with new COVID-19 variants, the Bureau of Immigration clarified on Saturday tourists are still not allowed to enter the Philippines.
In a statement, Commissioner Jaime Morente said other travel restrictions will still be imposed despite the move of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases to relax travel curbs on the 36 countries with recorded cases of new COVID-19 variants beginning Monday, Feb. 1.
“We are still limiting the entry of foreign nationals to the country, following the IATF,” Morente said. “Generally speaking, tourists are still not allowed to enter the country.”
The Philippine government initially imposed a travel ban on flyers from the United Kingdom amid the emergence of a new virus strain there. The ban later covered 36 countries with reported cases of new and more contagious COVID-19 variants.
The BI said foreign nationals should have valid and existing visas at the time of entry, except for those qualified as balikbayans under Republic Act No. 6768.
They also have to present a pre-booked accommodation for at least seven nights in an accredited quarantine facility.
