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Now more foreign nationals (FNs) will be allowed to enter the country under the new issuance of the Inter-institutional Working Group for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF).
In Resolution 80, 2020 Series, the IATF decided to further relax its restrictions on the entry of NFs into the country.
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said that among the NFs that will now be allowed to enter local airports and seaports are those with visas issued by the Immigration Office pursuant to Executive Order 226, or the Omnibus Investment Code. , as amended and Republic Law 8756.
Also exempt from entry restrictions are those with 47 (a) (2) visas issued by the Department of Justice, as well as visas issued by the Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Free Port Authority and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority.
“The entry of these foreigners into the country, however, is subject to conditions, such as that they must have a valid and current visa at the time of entry and must also have a pre-reserved accredited quarantine facility,” said Roque.
They will also be subject to the maximum incoming passenger capacity at the port and the date of entry and must follow applicable immigration laws, rules and regulations.
Roque stressed that some NFs, including those with a tourist visa, will not yet be able to travel to the country for now.
Last March, the IATF ordered the Department of Foreign Relations (DFA) to stop issuing visas to NFs as part of the government’s efforts to limit the entry of potential Covid carriers into the country.
However, it exempted NFs who are spouses and children of Filipino citizens, as well as employees from other countries and international organizations from this restriction.
In a related development, Roque said the IATF also removed the antigen testing requirement for outbound Filipino travelers.
To recall, the IATF required such travelers to undergo antigen testing within 24 hours prior to departure as a pre-boarding requirement.
