IT’S looking to be a Merry Christmas for the tourism industry with government’s latest decision to cut the quarantine period for inbound travelers, and lifting of age restrictions for interzonal travel.
“The reduction of the mandatory quarantine period for inbound travelers is an encouraging development for the country’s tourism industry,” said Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo Puyat in a news statement. “This will be a relief to our kababayans this coming holiday season. This means less expenses for them and more time spent with their loved ones,” she added.
Under the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases Resolution 142 released on Friday, “Fully vaccinated individuals coming from either ‘Green’ or ‘Yellow’ List countries/territories/jurisdictions, need to undergo facility-based quarantine until the release of their negative RT-PCR testing taken on the fifth day. After which, they shall be required to undergo home quarantine until their 10th day, with the day of arrival being the first day. The Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ) shall ensure strict symptom monitoring while in the facility. Foreign nationals shall be required to secure their own pre-booked accommodation of at least six days.
Countries on the green and yellow list have been determined to have low and medium risk for Covid-19 infections, respectively. The IATF guidelines only apply, however, to returning Filipinos, overseas Filipino workers, and foreign nationals with valid and existing visas to enter the Philippines.
The United States, which has 4.1 million Filipino-Americans, is on the yellow list. It accounts for the largest source of balikbayan travelers for the Philippines. They must show proof of their vaccination. The Bureau of Immigration will come up with a list of entry requirements.
Tourism Congress of the Philippines President Jose C. Clemente III told the BusinessMirror, “This is a welcome development as…