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Public Advisory

Further Updates for Those Intending to Travel to the Philippines: Additional Exemptions to Entry Restrictions under IATF Resolution 95 dated 21 January 2021 for Passengers from Restricted Countries Due to the COVID-19 New Variants

PASAY CITY 25 January 2021 — Further to the advisories[1] issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) based on Memoranda from the Executive Secretary[2] on the regulation of entry for travelers from areas[3] that have reported incidence of the new COVID-19 variant, the public is informed of additional measures pertaining to the exemptions to the entry restrictions of the following foreign nationals with valid visas who come from or have entered the concerned countries/jurisdictions in the last 14 days prior to arrival in the Philippines, as directed by the Inter-Agency Task Force Resolution No. 95 dated 21 January 2021, with the following highlights and which may be accessed in full here: https://bit.ly/3phkuVx

  • Those for medical and emergency cases, including their medical escorts, if any, subject to the applicable testing and quarantine protocols as prescribed by the DOH; and
  • Spouse and minor children of Filipino citizens travelling with them, subject to the same testing and quarantine protocols applicable to Filipino citizens. “Filipino citizens” include dual citizens.
  • Incoming passengers shall be tested upon arrival and shall be quarantined until the result of a subsequent test administered on the fifth day is released. Negative results from the two COVID-19 tests shall be endorsed to the passengers’ local government units, who shall then strictly monitor the remainder of the 14-day quarantine through their respective Barangay Health Emergency Response Teams.

As such, the DFA reiterates its earlier advisories regarding the travel restriction:

  • All overseas Filipinos are reminded of the limited quarantine facilities in place and are thus strongly urged to reconsider travel plans to the Philippines for the duration of the travel restrictions, which is set to end on 31 January 2021, without prejudice to the extension of such period upon approval of the IATF;
  • Those entering the Philippines from, or who have been to, the affected countries and jurisdiction in the last 14 days are also reminded that they will be required to undergo and complete a strict mandatory 14-day quarantine at a DOH-approved facility, regardless of negative RT-PCR result.
  • For transits through airports in concerned countries/jurisdiction, please be guided by more specific regulations here: https://bit.ly/3hNbd4m.

The DFA once again calls for all travelers to the country to carefully reconsider their travel plans, including postponing their trips until after the end of the travel restrictions to avoid personal inconvenience and possible additional expenses as well as help prevent the incidence of the new COVID-19 variant in the country.

As always, the DFA reminds travelers to always check ahead of travel dates with their airlines before departure or before booking a ticket as information published could change at any time. END

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[1] DFA advisories dated 31 December 2020 (https://bit.ly/2Xcp2zY), 01 January 2021 (https://bit.ly/38jj2Mb), 06 January 2021 (https://bit.ly/2LtfBJU), 07 January (https://bit.ly/3nDDLPf), 12 January 2021 (https://bit.ly/39wQNJu), and 15 January 2021 (https://bit.ly/3ieptDJ)

[2] Memoranda from the Executive Secretary dated 29 December 2020 (https://bit.ly/3hJV1B6), 31 December 2020 (https://bit.ly/3hNbd4m), 05 January 2021 (https://bit.ly/38qMr7d), 08 January 2021 (https://bit.ly/3nzHzRx), and 12 January 2021 (https://bit.ly/3nN8REj).

[3] As of 15 January 2021 Manila time, these are: (1) the United Kingdom, (2) Denmark, (3) Ireland, (4) Japan, (5) Australia, (6) Israel, (7)The Netherlands, (8) Switzerland, (9) France, (10) Germany, (11) Iceland, (12) Italy, (13) Lebanon, (14) Singapore, (15) Sweden, (16) South Korea, (17) South Africa, (18) Canada, (19) Spain, (20)United States, (21) Portugal, (22) India, (23) Finland, (24) Norway, (25) Jordan, (26) Brazil, (27) Austria, (28) Pakistan, (29) Jamaica, (30) Luxembourg, (31) Oman, (32) the People’s Republic of China, including Hong Kong, SAR, (33) United Arab Emirates, and (34) Hungary