Foreign tourists are still barred from entering the Philippines amid the coronavirus pandemic, Malacañang clarified Friday.
![](https://mb.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/07082020_JAPANBOUND_ROMERO-5-1024x683.jpg)
"All foreign nationals who are not allowed entry to the Philippines as stated by previous orders, including those holding tourist visas, are still prohibited to enter the country,” Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said in a statement.
Roque said those foreign nationals allowed to enter the country still need to complete their 14-day quarantine. "The restriction remains until January 31, 2021 and would lapse after the aforesaid date," he added.
The Palace made the clarification after the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) set conditions on the entry of certain foreign travelers starting February 1.
The task force ruled that inbound foreigners must have valid and existing visa at the time of entry except for those qualified under the Balikbayan program under Republic Act No. 6768 or the Act Instituting the Balikbayan Program. They must have pre-booked accommodation for at least seven nights in an accredited quarantine hotel or facility and under COVID testing on the sixth day from date of arrival.
The entry of inbound passengers is also subject to the maximum capacity at the port and date of entry, the IATF said.
The government has implemented travel restrictions on foreigners coming from several countries with cases of the new coronavirus variants until the end of the month. Exempted from the travel ban are foreign diplomats and personnel of accredited international organizations, foreign dignitaries, those for medical and emergency cases, and spouse and minor children of Filipino traveling with them.
The government has also allowed the entry certain foreigners, including those with resident visas, investor's visas, and visas issued by economic zones in Aurora, Subic, Bataan, Cagayan, and Clark.