COVID-19 test no longer required for boosted foreign travelers, Filipinos entering PH—IATF

Filipinos who had their booster shot and foreign nationals traveling to the Philippines no longer need to present a negative COVID-19 test to enter the country beginning May 30, the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases announced.

The new protocols were made official under IATF Resolution No. 168, released on May 26.

According to the resolution, international travelers aged 18 and above who are fully vaccinated and have received at least one COVID-19 booster shot are exempted from the pre-departure testing requirement.

Also exempted from the rule are travelers aged 12 to 17 who are fully vaccinated and individuals aged below 12, regardless of their vaccination status (as long as the adult accompanying them are fully vaccinated and boosted).

These individuals are still required to carry a valid passport and proof of their vaccination, which include the following documents: World Health Organization International Certificate of Vaccination and Prophylaxis, VaxCertPH, National or state manual/digital vaccination certificate of the country/foreign government, other proof of vaccination permitted by the IATF.

Those who have yet to receive their booster shot and are not yet fully vaccinated are still required to present a negative COVID-19 test, taken at least 48 hours before their departure.