Entry of foreign nationals in the Philippines allowed, begins Aug. 1

Malacañang announced on Friday that the country has allowed the entry of foreign nationals with long-term visas in the country beginning August 1 as the government sought to revive the economy.

Photo credit: mb.com.ph

The government’s COVID-19 task force however, set conditions prior to the entry of these foreigners.

Harry Roque, presidential spokesperson, said that the foreign nationals must have valid and existing visas at the time of the entry, no new entry visa shall be accepted. They must also secure a pre-booked accredited quarantine facility and coronavirus disease (COVID-19) testing provider.

With the objective of complying with physical distancing rules, the foreigners will be notified that airports and seaports are observing a maximum capacity of travelers.

"They are likewise subject to the maximum capacity of inbound passengers at the port and date of entry, as returning overseas Filipinos will be given priority," Roque said.

The government has set up mega swabbing centers near airports. Mactan-Cebu International Airport in Cebu province has its own testing facility with a laboratory that can process 1,500 to 3,000 tests per day and releases.

Before, only Filipinos, their spouse and children, accredited foreign government and international organization officials, as well as foreign airline crew, were allowed to enter the country.

The government earlier created a technical working group to study the possible entry of more foreigners amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The study was prompted by the appeal of a foreign embassy for the Philippines to ease inbound travel restrictions to allow the entry of foreign workers in flagship infrastructure projects and permanent resident visa holders.

A week ago, the Philippines lifted the ban on non-essential overseas travel by Filipinos although subject to conditions such as submission of confirmed round-trip tickets for those traveling on tourist visas and a declaration acknowledging the risks in traveling.