Gazza-d

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1166592

mikek1

At last ! We have freinds arriving within the next 2 weeks. They found that the airfares from the UK were very expensive, no economy Class available only bussiness Class.
Will the forigners here on a 3 year extended visa that have been given an amnesty have to now leave the Philippines and re-enter ?

Gazza-d

As yet there has been no mention of if rolling over extensions will be available.
We booked Clark to London early may with Emirates no problem, I think it was just over $700 for the both of us. The return leg was double that for late August.

Gazza-d

A further requirement just be added, incoming foreigners must have travel insurance with $35,000 covid cover.

Gazza-d

The PCR test is now being dropped in favour of an antigen test. This must be lab based and within 24 hours of your departure. It would be handy if you can get this done at the airport. I believe you can pre-book a test at Heathrow.

Stokkevn

Had some friends that were coming to visit but because the constant changing of requirements and different requirements in each area here one lot have gone to Malaysia and the other to Vietnam & Thailand.

nonthaburi

They'd better hope they don't test positive on arrival in Thailand. Requirements there are worse than Phill. so seems strange place to go if that was an issue.

Stokkevn

It was not the strictness of the requirements that bothered them it was the constant changing of requirements, their travel agent was contacting them once or twice a week with different/revised requirements even down to the online registration for something must be also accompanied by two paper copies.

nonthaburi

Haha. Fair enough. I wouldn't say that Thailand doesn't change its requirements but the entry process sounds easier than the Philippines.

I do think they're taking a risk though. There's no way I'd travel to Thailand right now if I didn't have family there, just because of what happens to you if you test positive on arrival, or if you're deemed dangerous because who was close to you on the plane!

Stokkevn

They have been in and out of Thailand with no problems and are now with friends in Vietnam, no problems getting in there.

Philosophical 11

The requirement for swab tests and travel insurance for entry to the Philippines is no longer required for tourists wef 30 May. Only requirement is fully vaccinated and one booster.

​​​​​ I saw no point in the mandatory travel insurance or vax requirements but swab tests I would have thought would be common sense to help protect the integrity of the Philippines against a further wave.
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Gazza-d

They have realised that they are not going the keep it out. If anything like other countries they are welcoming it in. The only problem is that other countries have much higher levels of vaccinations. It's still a danger to the unvaccinated.

Gazza-d

The IATF resolution made no mention of travel insurance so the statement that no insurance is no longer required is based on this omission rather than a statement of fact.

Philosophical 11

I believe it is buried somewhere in IATF resolution 168 and certainly referred to in the associated press release.

Furthermore it is now issued as guidance by Philippine Airlines.