With the aim of reviving the tourism industry and making a major contribution to the country's jobs, livelihoods and economic growth, from February 1, the Philippines decided to remove the green - yellow - red country classifications according to the Covid-19 status, and resume visa-free tourism for short-term visits of citizens from 157 countries that were allowed to enter the Philippines free of charge before the pandemic began, including Vietnam.
However, China - the Philippines' fastest growing tourism market, Taiwan and India are not on the list.
The Philippines' plan to reopen from December 1, 2021, has been suspended due to the emergence of the Omicron variant. Photo: VNA
Under the new rules, fully vaccinated travelers from visa-exempt countries, coming for tourism and business purposes, must have a negative Covid-19 test before flying to the Philippines and will not be required to quarantine upon arrival.
All visitors must also present a negative RT-PCR test taken within 48 hours of departure and will not be required to undergo on-site quarantine. Instead, visitors will self-monitor for symptoms for seven days. Unvaccinated foreigners will be banned from entering the country from February 16.
Despite the continued rise in Covid-19 cases, the Philippines is still looking to ease some restrictions. Health Undersecretary Rosario Vergeire said it makes no sense to limit international travel when the rate of Covid-19 infections in the Philippines is so high, “maybe even higher than in some countries.” To date, an estimated half of the population has received at least two doses of a Covid-19 vaccine.
