After the omicron variant of COVID-19 scuppered attempts to allow vaccinated tourists to enter the Philippines late last year, plans are now in place once again. Starting February 10, visitors from 150 countries will be permitted to enter visa free and without needing to quarantine upon arrival.
Those who plan on traveling to the Philippines will need a recent negative COVID-19 test along with proof of vaccination. After nearly two years without tourism, the country is ready and excited to welcome people back.
“(This) will contribute significantly to job restoration, primarily in tourism-dependent communities, and in the reopening of businesses that have earlier shut down,” Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat explained.
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In addition to vaccinated tourists being allowed to enter the Philippines starting on February 10, the government is also removing quarantine requirements for returning Filipinos.
Philippine Department of Tourism data showed there were 8.26 million foreign arrivals in 2019, more than a 15 percent increase from the previous year. The bulk of visitors to the Philippines come from China, South Korea, USA, Japan and Australia.
Currently, China maintains significant movement restrictions which means tourists from the country are unable to visit. Quarantine upon arrival also remains in place in both Japan and South Korea.
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