PH fine-tuning rules for return of foreign tourists

Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat. Photo courtesy of DOT

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines will soon reopen its doors to fully vaccinated tourists from “green list” countries, or those considered at low risk for COVID-19, about 20 months after closing its borders to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

According to the Department of Tourism (DOT), this may happen before the end of this year.

Once the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) issues the necessary guidelines, likely within the month, fully inoculated visitors will be allowed entry, Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo Puyat said. The IATF met on Friday to discuss the protocols.

Puyat said the IATF, upon her department’s request, approved in principle the entry of fully vaccinated tourists from green list countries, territories or jurisdictions, subject to strict conditions.

“Only fully vaccinated individuals with vaccines recognized by the country’s Food and Drug Administration under an emergency use authorization (EUA), or those authorized by the World Health Organization, will be allowed entry to the country,” she said in a statement.

Acting presidential spokesperson Karlo Nograles said the government would accept fully inoculated travelers from green list areas as part of the economy’s “calibrated reopening.”

Prepandemic, the tourism industry accounted for 12.8 percent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) in 2019. This translated to P2.51 trillion in total income.

But as COVID-19 crippled the sector, its contribution to GDP went down to 5.4 percent in 2020. Incomes dropped by 61.2 percent to P973 billion, according to data from the Philippine Statistics Authority.

Local tourism employment slipped to 4.68 million in 2020 from 5.72 million in 2019. Tourist arrivals went down by 82 percent.

“(The move to again accept foreign visitors) will greatly help in our recovery efforts … It will also aid in bolstering consumer confidence,” Puyat said, noting that many countries had already done the same.

The DOT would also work on a proposal to establish “travel lanes or bubbles” for vaccinated tourists coming from “yellow list” countries, or those at moderate risk for COVID-19. Such travelers might be allowed to enter the country with certain restrictions.

Quarantine rules

The IATF has shortened the quarantine period for fully vaccinated travelers arriving from yellow list countries.

Effective Nov. 22, fully vaccinated travelers from such countries are required to present a negative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test done within 72 hours prior to departure from the country of origin.

Upon arrival, they must undergo facility-based quarantine and take an RT-PCR test on the third day, instead of the fifth day required under the old rules.

If they don’t have a negative predeparture test, they are required to undergo facility quarantine and have an RT-PCR test on their fifth day, instead of on the seventh day as previously required. Those who are unvaccinated, partially vaccinated, or whose vaccination status cannot be determined, have to undergo facility quarantine upon arrival and have an RT-PCR test on the seventh day.

Travelers from “red list” countries, or those at high risk for COVID-19, remain barred from entering the country, unless they are Filipinos returning via repatriation flights.

Fully vaccinated travelers from green list countries who have a negative RT-PCR test can skip quarantine.

But those from green list countries who are unvaccinated, partially vaccinated, whose vaccination status cannot be determined, or who don’t have a predeparture test are required to stay in a quarantine facility and have an RT-PCR test on their fifth day.

Puyat said fully vaccinated balikbayan from yellow countries with predeparture testing within 72 hours are required to undergo a three-day facility-based quarantine, with testing on the third day. They are to complete their “self-monitoring” to the 14th day from arrival.

Those without predeparture testing must stay in a quarantine facility until the release of the RT-PCR test results taken on the fifth day. With a negative result, they will be released for home quarantine until the 10th day. —WITH A REPORT FROM Inquirer Research