The Philippines welcomes international visitors from today

On February 10, nearly two years after closing its borders to control the coronavirus, the Philippines will reopen to fully vaccinated travelers from most nations and relax quarantine rules.

The country will reintroduce visa-free travel, meaning that vaccinated visitors will no longer be required to quarantine in government facilities upon arrival.

In a statement, Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat stated, "(This) will contribute significantly to job restoration, primarily in tourism-dependent communities, and in the reopening of businesses that have earlier shut down”.

The Philippines, known for its white-sand beaches and abundant marine life, has joined other Southeast Asian countries in reopening to visitors to increase employment and aid economic recovery. Other Southeast Asian nations, such as Thailand, Singapore, and Malaysia, are also eager to attract Western visitors, thus the move to relax border restrictions is fitting.

What are the new entry requirements for entering The Philippines?

Travelers who have been vaccinated can now enter the country without having to wait for a quarantine, though they must show proof of a negative Covid-19 PCR test taken within 48 hours of departure and self-monitor for symptoms for seven days after arriving.

Unvaccinated travelers must quarantine in a government facility for five days, then test negative for Covid-19 on the fifth day, and then quarantine at home for the next fourteen days.

Vaccination requirements are waived for children under the age of 18.