BY JUN RAMIREZ
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) announced that starting November 1 it will implement the Inter-Agency Task Force’s (IATF) decision lifting the antigen test requirement for outbound travelers.
However, the BI said travelers must be prepared to submit negative COVID-19 test certificate to the country of destination that requires it.
BI Commissioner Jaime Morente clarified that the other requirements set by the IATF for outbound travel are still in place.
“A round trip ticket will still be required for those who will be leaving under a tourist visa,” said Morente.
Likewise, the BI chief said travelers will be required to sign a declaration given to them by the airline upon check-in, acknowledging the risks of possibly catching the virus during the trip.
Earlier, the IATF allowed the departure of Filipino tourists, but so far very few have availed of the privilege.
Meanwhile, the IATF announced that starting November 1, foreign nationals with 47(a)2 visas, and those issued by the Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority will be allowed to enter the country.
According to the BI, foreign nationals with visas under Executive Order 226, or personnel and executives of multinational companies in the country are also welcome to enter.
Those who are eligible to enter under a tourist status are still required to secure an entry visa from Philippine embassies or consulates, prior to arrival.
Meanwhile, newly-appointed port operations chief lawyer Candy Tan said that both departing and arriving travelers are still required to undergo regular immigration inspection, and present travel documents.
“After immigration inspection, arriving passengers will proceed to the one-stop-shop at our airports, where they will be tested and referred to their assigned quarantine facility,” she added. (Jun Ramirez)
