The government’s pandemic task force approved the proposal to accept the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine certificates from Malaysia and Ireland, Malacañang announced.
In an announcement, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said the Inter-agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases made this decision on Monday, February 14.
He said the national COVID-19 vaccination certificates of Malaysia and Ireland will now be accepted for purposes of arrival quarantine protocols, as well as for interzonal/intrazonal movement.
Nograles said this is in addition to other countries/territories/jurisdictions whose proofs of vaccination the IATF has already approved for recognition in the Philippines, and without prejudice to such other proofs of vaccination approved by the IATF for all inbound travelers.
The IATF has directed the Bureau of Quarantine, the Department of Transportation (DOTr)- One-Stop-Shop, and the Bureau of Immigration to recognize proofs of vaccination approved by the IATF.
Last week, the IATF has accepted the COVID-19 vaccine certificates from Brazil, Israel, South Korea, and Timor Leste as proof of inoculation.
On February 10, the country started accepting foreign travelers into the country for business and tourism purposes after having its borders closed for almost two years.
The IATF has released an updated set of protocols that foreigners should follow if they will visit the country.