eTravel Declaration System. Photo from etravel.gov.ph
The government on Friday launched eTravel, an online site for the arrival information and health declaration checklist of inbound travelers, Malacañang announced.
This is the third automated process for travelers and returning overseas Filipinos since One Health Pass was implemented in September last year.
Due to online complaints, the government replaced the One Health Pass with the eArrival Card which was issued to incoming travelers within 72 hours of their departure through the same website www.onehealthpass.com.ph.
‘Streamline’ entry procedures
But starting Dec. 2, the One Health Pass website will no longer be available and inbound passengers accessing the website will be redirected to the new portal etravel.gov.ph.
The Office of the Press Secretary said the new website was meant “to streamline” the country’s entry procedures and data collection processes.
Travelers will need to provide their health, personal and flight details in the platform within 72 hours before their flight. This will also be the new contact tracing platform that will monitor if travelers have any ailment or disease to be monitored, not just COVID-19.
After filling out the forms, a QR code will be provided which will serve as their health declaration upon arrival. The new platform will also contain the digital version of the arrival cards (contact tracing forms, health declaration forms) as the Bureau of Immigration (BI) will discontinue using paper arrival cards by Dec. 5.
“The arrival cards and the One Health Pass were basically merged into one system. It’s very helpful for travelers, they don’t have to fill up so many forms asking the same thing over and over again” Dana Sandoval, the BI spokesperson, told the Inquirer.
E-travel is a project of the Department of Tourism, Department of Finance and BI.
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