The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) has allowed the entry of foreign nationals with long-term visas in the Philippines starting August 1, Presidential Harry Roque said.
However, not all foreign nationals can freely enter the country—the IATF said they must first have valid and existing visas at the time of entry. No new entry visa shall be accepted. Foreign nationals are still subject to the maximum capacity of inbound passengers at the port and date of entry, as returning overseas Filipinos will be given priority.
Prior to entry and landing, foreign nationals must also secure a pre-booked accredited quarantine facility and a pre-booked COVID-19 testing provider in the Philippines.
The IATF also prohibited spectators in all outdoor non-contact sports and exercises in areas under general community quarantine (GCQ) and indoor and outdoor sports and exercises in areas under modified general community quarantine (MGCQ).
In another development, the IATF authorized the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), in consultation with the Department of Finance (DOF), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), and the Department of Tourism (DOT), to re-categorize certain industries for the reopening of businesses or gradual increase of operating capacity of industries that are now open.
The IATF has given the DTI to issue a negative list of industries that are to remain closed even in areas under MGCQ.
These recent actions of the IATF are in compliance with the directive to ensure the increase of the capacities of the business sector vis-à-vis available transportation to revitalize the economy in Metro Manila and Region IV-A.
Inbound and outbound flights have been prohibited since March due to the enhanced community quarantine. For the past four months, only repatriated overseas Filipino workers were allowed to land in the country's ports.
