Coronavirus: Philippines to reopen to foreign tourists; Singapore restarts conferences
- More than 40 countries are currently classified by Manila as low risk and exempt from quarantine requirements, including China and Indonesia
- Elsewhere, Singapore is hosting top executives at a host of conferences, and Australia’s Canberra is almost completely vaccinated
Tourism operators across the archipelago nation famed for its beaches and dive spots have been devastated by a plunge in international visitors and restrictions on domestic travel since the start of the pandemic.
The government’s Covid-19 task force has “approved in principle” the tourism department’s request to permit entry to vaccinated travellers from countries with a low infection rate, Tourism Secretary Berna Puyat said.
Borders will reopen “soon”, according to the statement, without providing a date.
“Allowing tourists from green countries or territories that have the majority of its population vaccinated and with low infection rate, will greatly help in our recovery efforts,” Puyat said.
“This move will likewise aid in bolstering consumer confidence, which is a large contributor to our gross domestic product.”
More than 40 countries and territories are currently classified “green” – low risk and exempt from quarantine requirements – including China, Indonesia and Zimbabwe.