THE Philippines is now allowing foreigners with valid long-term visas to enter the country, but tourists are still barred from entering.
The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF)’s revised Resolution 98 allows foreign nationals who have visas issued as of March 20, 2020 to enter the country, Malacañang announced on Friday, February 19.
Under the revised resolution, foreigners “with valid and existing visas at the time of entry and who were not permitted to enter the country under previous IATF resolutions, and holders of valid and existing special resident and retiree’s visas and Section 9A visas provided they present an entry exemption document to the Bureau of Immigration upon arrival” are now allowed in the Philippines.
“Lahat po ng long-term visas na na-issue natin pupuwede na pong pumasok. Antayin na lang po natin kailan papayagan ang mga turista (All foreigners with long-term visas that we have issued can now enter. Let’s just wait for now when tourists will be allowed),” said Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque during an interview with People’s Television Network.
The spokesperson added that among the travelers who can enter include investors, workers, and foreigners with Filipino spouses and their children.
Arriving foreign nationals must have pre-booked accommodations for at least six nights in an accredited quarantine hotel or facility. They must also undergo a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test six days after their arrival.
