PH allows visa-free entry for Hong Kong and Macau Nationals

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The Bureau of Immigration in the Philippines said Hong Kong and Macau Nationals can now enter the country without a visa for 14 days.

The Bureau of Immigration in the Philippines said Hong Kong and Macau Nationals can now enter the country without a visa for 14 days.

Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said in a statement, the relaxed policy was provided in the latest resolution passed by the Inter-Agency Task Force for Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID).

In 2019, more than 5,000 Hong Kong nationals and more than 3,000 Macau nationals arrived in the Philippines.

In a travel advisory posted on Wednesday, Fully vaccinated arriving Foreign Nationals shall present a NEGATIVE RT-PCR Test taken within 48 hours or a NEGATIVE laboratory-based Antigen Test taken within 24 hours before departure from the country of origin. They must show acceptable proof of vaccination and their passport should be valid for at least six months at the time of entry and should have a valid return ticket. It was also stated in the advisory that foreign travellers should have travel insurance for Covid-19 treatment. Upon arrival, they only need to self-monitor for symptoms for seven days.

For Fully Vaccinated Filipino Nationals arriving, a NEGATIVE RT-PCR test taken within 48 hours or NEGATIVE laboratory-based antigen test taken within 24 hours before departure from the country of origin is needed and self-monitoring within seven days.

For Filipinos who are Unvaccinated, Partially Unvaccinated, or Vaccination status that cannot be validated, you will need to present a NEGATIVE RT-PCR test taken 48 hours or a NEGATIVE laboratory Antigen test taken within 24 hours before the departure from the country of origin. You will also undergo a facility-based quarantine until the release of a negative RT-PCR test taken on the fifth day and will continue home quarantine for the remainder of the 14 days, the date of arrival being the first day.

The Department of Tourism in the Philippines is hoping the country could fully reopen to more foreign tourists by April this year as they have recorded a total of 73,178 tourists arrivals since easing travel restrictions last Feb. 10.