MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines has lifted its ban on non-essential outbound travel effective October 21, Malacañang said Friday.
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said Filipinos intending to leave the country must have negative antigen test results, confirmed plane tickets, and health and travel insurance.
“They may be allowed to leave the country subject to the submission of confirmed roundtrip tickets and adequate travel and health insurance for those traveling in tourist visas, execution of an immigration declaration acknowledging the risks involved in traveling and a negative antigen (test) result taken within 24 hours before departure, subject to the Department of Health (DOH) guidelines,” Roque said in a statement.
On arrival at the Philippines, Roque said guidelines set by the National Task Force against COVID-19 for returning overseas Filipinos should be observed such as undergoing a swab test and the mandatory 14-day quarantine.
Roque said the change in policy is applicable to all including couples pushing for the “love is not tourism” campaign.
“‘Yung mga Pilipino na merong mga fiance at mga iniibig sa ibang bansa, pupuwede niyo na po silang dalawin doon sa ibang bansa,” Roque said.
(Filipinos who have fiances in other countries, you may now visit them there.)
It was in March when the government barred Filipinos, excluding overseas workers, permanent residents abroad, and holders of student visas, from flying out of the country because of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.