Vaccine certificate no longer required for inbound PH travelers

photo courtesy City Government of Davao

Manila, Philippines -Vaccination certificates for inbound travelers will no longer have to be presented upon entry in the country.

This was the announcement made by the Department of Transportation (DOTR) on Saturday (August 12) based on a Department of Health circular.

The DOH-Bureau of Quarantine Memorandum Circular 2023-06 states that the order covers inbound travelers in airports and seaports.

“All arriving international travelers are accepted regardless of their vaccination status,” according to the DOH.

In an FB post, DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista welcomed the recent Department of Health proclamation, adding that the DOTr had been closely coordinating with the Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ) even before the announcement to ensure the safety and security of passengers.

“This is indeed a very welcome development on our part. The DOTr has been coordinating with the DOH through the BOQ to ensure that all passengers are accorded safe and convenient travel. We will implement and follow this,” he said.

The recent proclamation order came after the July 21 lifting of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.