Foreign visitors with long-term visas allowed to reenter Philippines by August

MANILA, Philippines (3rd update, 11:55 a.m.) — The Philippines is lifting its temporary travel ban on arriving foreign nationals with longer-term visas starting August 1, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque announced on Friday, July 17.

The Inter-Agency Task Force for Infectious Diseases (IATF) approved the policy yesterday, July 16.

The entry of foreign visitors, however, remains limited.

• Only those who have existing or long-term visas at the time of entry are allowed. These are foreign citizens covered by Section 13 of Commonwealth Act 613, Republic Act 7919 and Executive Order 324.
   
• These include permanent residents, the spouse or unmarried child younger than 21-years-old of a Philippine citizen, a child of alien parents born during a temporary visit abroad of a mother who has permanent residency, a natural-born citizen of the Philippines who has been naturalized in a foreign country.
   
• New entrants will not be let in. No new visas will be issued.
   
• They are subject to the maximum capacity of inbound passengers at ports of entry. Returning OFWs and Filipinos will be given priority.
   
• They should acquire a pre-booked quarantine facility and a COVID-19 testing provider.

In its health alert last issued July 16, the United States Embassy in Manila advised Americans who wish to travel to the Philippines to comply with local quarantine requirements and strictly follow local authorities. These include the wearing of protective masks in public spaces.

"Regardless of location, US citizens are encouraged to continue to practice proper anti-virus safety protocols, such as frequent hand washing and social distancing," the advisory reads.

Cases of COVID-19 cases in the Philippines continue to increase exponentially, with the latest tally of 61,266 of which 2,498 are new cases and 38,183 are active cases.