The Philippines Adopt New Rules for Tourists

A beautiful tropical country with scenic views and gorgeous resorts, the Philippines has become an increasingly popular destination during the pandemic. Tourists wishing to visit the Philippines in 2021 should read the following rules that regulate quarantine and testing for foreign visitors arriving starting from February 1. These rules now require RT-PCR testing for COVID-19 to be done on Day 6 of the quarantine. This test needs to be taken at an accredited hotel or another facility.

Additionally, each tourist is required to register at least three days before the flight to the country. Visitors need to fill the PAL Electronic Case Investigation Form, providing a valid e-mail, and hotel reservation for at least 6 days. Note that local regulations state that only one person per room is allowed. If you have booked a hotel in Manila, Clark, or Cebu, the rules are almost the same but there might be some minor differences.

Tourists arriving in Manila need to fill the registration form and wait for an email with a QR code. Download or print the document (Affidavit of Undertaking) before the arrival to the Philippines. As the COVID-19 test is taken on the 6th day, tourists need to have a hotel booking for at least 7 nights, and the chosen Manila hotel must be accredited by Tourism and Health Agencies. The registration document is required during the check-in process.

During the flight to the Philippines, tourists need to fill in several more documents, namely, the Health Declaration Form, Arrival Card, and Bureau of Customs Form. After temperature check at Manila airport, tourists need to head to hotel coordinators who check the reservation and Affidavit of Undertaking, stamp it, and arrange transfer to the hotel. At this stage, tourists also need to pay for the RT-PCR test that costs PHP 4,000 and can be paid in local currency or USD.

After that, tourists need to stay at the quarantine hotel. A follow-up email containing information about the COVID-19 test should appear on day 3, and tourists are required to answer it within 24 hours. The exact location and schedule of the test will be revealed on day 5. Tourists who develop COVID-19 symptoms need to report to a medical officer for checkup purpose. When a negative test result is obtained, tourists are free to enjoy their vacation. Those with positive results will be forwarded to a hospital for further treatment.