By Alison Fox
Feb 10, 2022
THE PHILIPPINES HAS REOPENED its borders to foreign tourists, allowing vaccinated visitors to skip quarantine, becoming the latest Southeast Asian country to ease restrictions on travel.
International visitors are welcome to enter as of February 10, ending the border closure of this archipelago nation for the first time in nearly two years, according to the U.S. Embassy in Manila. The Philippines is re-introducing visa-free travel and no longer requiring vaccinated tourists to quarantine in government facilities upon arrival.
Travelers will be required to show proof of a negative Covid-19 PCR test taken within 48 hours of their departure to the Philippines as well as self-monitor for symptoms for seven days after arrival.
Unvaccinated travelers will have to quarantine in a government facility, test negative for Covid-19 on the fifth day, and then quarantine at home until the 14th day, according to the embassy. Children under 18 are exempt from vaccination requirements.
“We are also aware that there is no room for complacency given the unpredictability of the virus,” Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat said, according to The Associated Press. “We will closely monitor the situation and ensure that health and safety protocols are strictly implemented in all tourism establishments.”
The reopening comes two months after the government had initially planned to lift the Philippines entry ban on December 1, the wire service noted.
The country boasts some of the most beautiful islands and beaches in the world, is currently classified as a “Level 3” destination by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, indicating a “high” level of COVID-19 transmission in the country.
The Philippines reopening comes as an increasing number of Southeast Asian countries are looking to welcome back vaccinated foreign tourists. Cambodia is open with practically no restrictions. Thailand and Singapore have reintroduced quarantine-free entry for tourists under their Test & Go and VTL programs, respectively. Bali has reopened to international visitors, but with quarantine still required. And Malaysia just said it wants to reopen in March.
Now that the Philippines has reopened, start planning your trip by scouting out the best new openings of the pandemic, checking out some of our favorite restaurants in Manila, planning a bar-hopping tour, learning about lush Palawan, and more.
