A negative rapid antigen test result can now be presented as an entry requirement to the Philippines, Malacañang said Wednesday in a bid to further reopen the country to travelers.
The Philippines requires that rapid antigen tests are administered and certified by a healthcare professional in a healthcare facility, laboratory, clinic, pharmacy, or other similar establishments from the country of origin of the traveler according to Communications Sec. Martin Andanar.
Previously, all travelers going to the Philippines needed to present a negative RT-PCR test result.
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The Inter-Agency Task Force on COVID-19 response also approved the recognition of the national COVID-19 vaccination certificates of Bangladesh, Mexico, Pakistan, and Slovak Republic.
The Bureau of Quarantine, the Department of Transportation - One-Stop-Shop, and the Bureau of Immigration were directed to recognize only proofs of COVID-19 vaccination approved by the IATF.
It was only in February this year when the Philippines reopened again to tourists as COVID-19 cases declined and as the country transitioned to the "new normal".