Foreigners going to the Philippines need to register with One Health Pass —BOQ

Foreigners going to the Philippines must register first at the One Health Pass online portal amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ) said Thursday.

Interviewed on Unang Balita, BOQ deputy director Roberto Salvador Jr. said the system will ease the process of COVID-19-related requirements.

“Lahat po ng mga uuwi sa Pilipinas — OFW, non-OFW, foreigners —required po na pumasok doon sa One Health Pass para mas mabilis po ang proseso na mangyayari pagdating sa airport,” he said.

(All people going to the Philippines — OFW, non-OFW, foreigners — are required to enter the One Health Pass to speed up the process at the airport.)

So far, only diplomats, foreigners engaged in medical services, foreign spouses and children of Filipino citizens traveling with them, and others with humanitarian cases are allowed to enter the Philippines amid the pandemic.

In August, the Bureau of Immigration said the government has allowed companies that wish to engage the services of foreigners who are still abroad to apply for work visas on their behalf

Employers of these foreign workers must still apply for an alien employment permit (AEP) on their behalf with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said.

The BOQ has earlier called on returning Filipinos to register with One Health Pass online portal.

Travelers will fill out the corresponding form three days before travelling to the Philippines to generate a transaction number, according to the BOQ.

A day prior to boarding the flight to the Philippines, the passenger will be required to fill out an  electronic health declaration checklist and will be given a QR code, it added.

"As for those who are not familiar with online logins needed for this, the airline staff will be of assistance," Salvador said.  —KBK, GMA News