Philippines Removes 2-Year Ban on International Travelers

After nearly two years of being largely closed to leisure and business travel, the Philippines is reopening its borders to foreign tourists.

Starting February 10, the country will welcome travelers from over 150 nations, including the United States. Fully vaccinated foreign visitors will no longer need to quarantine in government facilities upon arrival, provided they present a negative COVID-19 test result.

According to the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines, travelers must show negative RT-PCR test results taken within 48 hours before departure from their home country. They are also required to self-monitor for symptoms for seven days post-arrival and report to local authorities if they show any COVID-19 symptoms.

Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated travelers will need to quarantine in a government facility until they can provide a negative COVID-19 PCR test result on the fifth day of their quarantine. After that, they will be subject to home quarantine until 14 days after their arrival.

Children under 18 are exempt from the vaccination requirements.

The Philippines is eliminating its 'red,' 'yellow,' and 'green' country risk classifications that were used to determine entry restrictions.

Travelers from the U.S. to the Philippines should note that all international arrivals, regardless of vaccination status, must undergo COVID testing no more than one calendar day before returning to the United States. However, the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines warns that PCR and antigen tests may not be consistently available within that timeframe for U.S. citizens.

COVID-19 testing centers might request a copy of your passport and proof of residence or accommodation, such as a valid Philippine driver’s license, barangay certificate, or utility bills,” the embassy advises. “It’s recommended to check with the testing facility for their specific requirements before your appointment.

The embassy also notes that testing costs can vary depending on the type of test administered, and tests guaranteeing results within 24 hours may come at a higher price.

The embassy cautioned in a January 31 update that 'PCR and antigen tests have become harder to find as the Omicron variant spreads across the Philippines.' Due to heightened demand, it may take up to three days or longer to receive test results.

The Philippine government initially aimed to lift its foreign travel ban on December 1; however, this was postponed due to the Omicron variant's spread, which also led to the reintroduction of stricter local restrictions, such as advising unvaccinated Filipinos to stay home until the end of January.

'We are moving beyond border control,' stated Philippines Health Undersecretary Rosario Vergeire during a recent press conference, emphasizing that the government's priority is now on preventing community transmission.

According to government statistics, over 6 million tourists vanished and more than 1 million Filipinos lost jobs in tourism-related sectors during the pandemic's first year. Popular tourist destinations, including renowned beaches and island resorts, appeared deserted at the peak of lockdowns.

The Philippines has reported over million confirmed COVID-19 cases and 53,801 deaths, marking the second-highest totals in Southeast Asia after Indonesia.

Reporting contributed by the Associated Press.