The Philippines has effectively lifted COVID-19 screening protocols for inbound travelers.
This came after the Department of Health-Bureau of Quarantine announced that vaccination certificates for inbound travelers no longer have to be presented upon entry into the country.
“All arriving international travelers are accepted regardless of their vaccination status,” the DOH said.
For departing international travelers, the vaccination requirements depend on the country of destination, the DOH said.
It urged travelers to check the requirements of the country to which they were going.
For OFWs and seafarers, the issuance of the International Certificate of Vaccination for Prophylaxis for Yellow Fever Vaccine and other vaccinations depends on the requirements of the agency or company.
Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista welcomed the DOH’s move.
“This is indeed a very welcome development on our part. The DOTr has been coordinating with the DOH through the BOQ to ensure that all passengers are accorded safe and convenient travel. We will implement and follow this,” Bautista said on Saturday.
On July 21, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. issued Proclamation No. 297, lifting the country’s public health emergency due to COVID-19.
Marcos stated that “all prior orders, memoranda, and issuances that are effective only during the State of Public Health Emergency shall be deemed withdrawn, revoked, or canceled and shall no longer be in effect.”
The proclamation also said concerned agencies must ensure that their policies, rules, and regulations take into consideration the lifting of the state of public health emergency and amend existing or promulgate new issuances.
