Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 19) — The Inter-Agency Task Force has permitted more foreign nationals with valid visas to enter the country, Presidential spokesman Harry Roque announced Friday.

A previous IATF rule that limits foreigners who can travel to the Philippines to those who have been issued visas as of March 20, 2020, subject to quarantine and testing requirements, has been changed, he added.

"Kasama rin sa binago ng IATF ang IATF Resolution No. 98 kung saan tinanggal na ang reckoning period na March 16, 2020 sa visas para sa foreign nationals na pinapayagang makapasok sa Pilipinas," Roque, who is the spokesman for the IATF, told a televised briefing.

[Translation: Among the policies amended by the IATF is IATF Resolution No. 98, wherein they removed the reckoning period of March 16, 2020 for foreign nationals allowed to enter the Philippines.]

Holders of Special Residents and Retirees Visa and Section 9(A) visa for diplomats are among those allowed to come to the Philippines. The full list of foreigners who can enter the country can be found here.

Roque also said the country still imposes entry restrictions to foreign tourists.

"Sa aking pagkakaalam ko, hindi parin po pinapayagan ang turista bagamat case-to-case basis. Pwede po silang kumuha ng exemption," Roque said. He did not elaborate on the exemptions.

[Translation: As far as I know, tourists are still not permitted to come here although this is on a case-to-case basis. They can apply for exemption.]


By CNN Philippines Staff
Source: CNN Philippines