THE Philippines will enforce pre-pandemic entry rules for fully vaccinated foreigners from visa-required countries beginning April 1, reported Xinhua.

“Foreign nationals may enter the country without the need of an entry exemption document (EED), provided they comply with applicable visa requirements and immigration entry and departure formalities,” said deputy presidential spokesman Kristian Ablan today.

The Philippines imposed the EED for incoming travellers from visa-required countries during the pandemic.

Ablan, in a televised press conference, said foreigners must be fully vaccinated, except for children below 12 travelling with fully vaccinated parents or guardians.

Inbound travellers must present “acceptable proof of vaccination” – a negative RT-PCR test taken within 48 hours or a negative laboratory-based antigen test taken within 24 hours – before departure from the origin country.

“Once admitted into the country, they are no longer required to observe facility-based quarantine but shall self-monitor for any sign or symptom for seven days from arrival.”

The announcement of the new entry policy comes just five days after President Rodrigo Duterte signed an executive order easing the entry of foreign tourists into the country to boost tourism, increase foreign investments and restore jobs in the travel sector.

The measure is also part of the government’s effort to accelerate and sustain the country’s recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.

On February 10, the Philippines reopened its doors to foreign leisure travellers from 157 visa-free countries and regions after locking down for more than two years. – Bernama, March 25, 2022.