Ban on foreign tourists entering Philippines remains —BI

Foreign tourists are still banned from entering the Philippines even after the government relaxed certain travel restrictions, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said Sunday.

Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente clarified that foreigners with valid and existing visas are allowed to enter the Philippines.

“Foreign tourists are still prohibited from entering the country and said restriction remains effective until it is lifted by the IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases),” Morente said in a press statement.

Morente also pointed out that the easing of restrictions only applies to foreigners who were allowed to enter the Philippines before March 22, when the government imposed a travel ban due to the upsurge in coronavirus disease infections.

BI earlier said aliens with existing immigrant and non-immigrant visas may again enter the country starting May 1.

"Exempted from the visa requirement are the foreign spouse and children of Balikbayans or returning Filipinos and former Filipinos who are travelling with the latter," read the statement.

Meanwhile, foreigners who are holders of valid and existing Special Resident and Retirees Visa (SRRV) or Section 9(a) temporary visitors’ visas may enter the Philippines as long as they present an entry exemption document from the Department of Foreign Affairs upon arrival.

BI said foreigners who are not foreign diplomats or members of international organizations are mandated to present a pre-booked accommodation for at least seven nights in an accredited quarantine hotel of facility where they will be tested for the novel coronavirus, causative agent of COVID-19, on the sixth day from date of their arrival.

The Immigration is preparing its guidelines for travel restrictions from foreigners and Filipinos coming from India, where coronavirus cases have been surging. — Consuelo Marquez/BM, GMA News