The Philippine government will allow the entry of foreign nationals with long-term visas in the country beginning August 1, amid threat posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Malacañang said Friday.
However, Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said the government’s COVID-19 task force would set conditions prior to their entry.
In a statement, Roque said foreigners must first have valid and existing visas at the time of the entry, meaning no new entry visa shall be accepted.
Roque said foreign nationals traveling to the country are subject to the maximum capacity of inbound passengers at the port and date of entry because returning overseas Filipinos will be given priority.
He also said foreign nationals must also secure a pre-booked accredited quarantine facility and a pre-booked COVID-19 testing provider.
Right after the coronavirus disease hit the country in March, the Philippine government suspended visa-free privileges of foreigners to arrest the spread of COVID-19 in the country.
Last week, the government eased travel restrictions for Filipinos, allowing non-essential travel abroad including for tourism purposes.
The Bureau of Immigration said it was ready to implement the new resolution of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases allowing the entry of foreigners with existing visas into the country.
Meanwhile, the IATF-EID has ordered the reclassification of several business industries in the country, Malacañang said.
The Department of Trade and Industry was tasked to re-categorize certain industries for the resumption of their operations or the gradual increase of operating capacity of those that are now open, Roque said.
The IATF-EID gave the directive during its meeting on Thursday, Roque said.
He said the DTI should consult the departments of finance, local government, and tourism.
“The DTI is likewise given authority of the IATF to issue a negative list of industries, which shall remain prohibited even in areas under MGCQ (modified general community quarantine),” Roque said.
The government has further relaxed the quarantine protocols in the country to allow more business establishments to resume operations, especially in areas placed under MGCQ.
He said the IATF-EID’s latest move was meant to revive the economy in Metro Manila and Region 4-A (Calabarzon).
“These recent actions of the IATF are in compliance with the directive to ensure the increase of the capacities of the business sector vis-à-vis available transportation to revitalize the economy in Metro Manila and Region 4-A,” Roque said.
President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday announced the new quarantine classifications in the country for the July 16 to 31 period.
The President consulted doctors and experts on the possible reopening of the Philippine economy so long as localized lockdown was implemented, the COVID-19 testing capacity improved, and vulnerable groups were protected.
Meanwhile, spectators are still barred from attending all non-contact sporting activities allowed to resume in the country.
“The members of the IATF prohibited spectators in all outdoor non-contact sports and exercises in areas under GCQ, and indoor and outdoor sports and exercises in areas under modified general community quarantine MGCQ,” said Roque.
Several activities, such as sporting events, have been suspended when COVID-19 hit the country last March.
The omnibus guidelines amended by the IATF-EID on July 16 allow the resumption of non-contact sports in areas placed under GCQ and MGCQ.
Allowed in areas under GCQ are walking, jogging, running, biking, golf, swimming, tennis, badminton, equestrian, range shooting, and skateboarding.
Athletes and enthusiasts of walking, jogging, running, biking, golf, swimming, tennis, badminton, equestrian, range shooting, and skateboarding are now allowed to play the sports they love for areas under MGCQ.
The amended guidelines, however, mandate the observance of minimum public health standards, such as the wearing of face masks and the maintenance of social distancing protocols.