Philippines, Oman to discuss HIV test requirement for Filipino travelers
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines and Oman are set to meet next week to discuss a requirement for Filipino travelers to present negative HIV test results before entering the sultanate.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Friday, April 17, that it has made “strong representations” with the Omani Embassy in Manila seeking the removal of the policy, which it said is being implemented without official notice to the Philippine government.
Omani officials have said the requirement is "currently being seriously reviewed."
“The DFA expects a positive outcome given the good and strong relationship between the Philippines and Oman,” the DFA said.
The foreign affairs department said the embassy clarified that the HIV certificate requirement applies only to tourists availing of visa-free entry to Oman and not to Filipino workers with employment visas.
The issue surfaced after reports that Filipino tourists granted visas were still being required by airlines at check-in to present HIV certificates before being allowed to board flights bound for Oman.
The Philippine Embassy in Muscat earlier said it had received reports of passengers being barred from boarding due to the requirement, saying that Omani authorities had not issued any formal communication on the new policy.
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