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Philippines Tightens Entry Rules on Japan Arrivals

MANILA – Fully vaccinated Filipinos and foreign nationals with or without negative PCR test taken 72 hours prior to departure from Japan are required to undergo facility-based quarantines, swabbing and self-monitoring for COVID-19 symptoms.

This came after the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) revised the quarantine and testing protocols for travelers to the Philippines on Nov. 28 in an effort to protect the country’s borders against the threat of the Omicron variant of the novel coronavirus.

The IATF also suspended the reopening of the country to foreign tourists.

“The IATF deemed it necessary to suspend the entry of foreign tourists, given worldwide concerns over the Omicron variant,” said Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Jaime Morente. “For now, the current general travel restrictions stand. Only Filipinos, balikbayan, and those with long term visas from green and yellow list countries may be allowed entry,” he clarified. - Florenda Corpuz

(Article cover photo taken at NAIA Terminal 1 on Sept. 17, 2021)