Foreigners with long-term visas now allowed to enter PH; tourists still barred

MANILA, Philippines — Foreigners with valid long-term visas, except tourists, will now be allowed to enter the country, Malacañang said Friday.

The Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases previously only allowed foreigners with visas valid as of March 20, 2020 to enter the country.

“Lahat po ng long-term visas na na-issue natin pupuwede na pong pumasok. Antayin na lang po natin kailan papayagan ang mga turista,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in an interview over state-run People’s Television Network.

(All foreigners with long-term visas that we have issued can now enter. Let’s just wait for now when tourists will be allowed.)

“Sa ngayon po, ang pinapayagan lang e lahat ng mga visas ng mga namumuhunan, mga nagtratrabaho, mga kamag-anak ng Pilipino, mga may asawa na Pilipino, mga anak. Halos lahat ng dayuhan, except ang mga turista,” he explained.

(Right now, we’re only allowing investors, workers, foreigners with Filipino spouses and their children. Almost all foreigners, except tourists.)

Arriving foreign nationals are subject to IATF requirements which include having a pre-booked accommodation for at least six nights in an accredited quarantine hotel or facility.

Foreigners must also undergo a Covid-19 swab test on the sixth day from the date of their arrival in the country, the IATF said.

READ: Philippines sets new rules for arriving foreign nationals starting Feb 1

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