Government relaxes entry rules for FNS

More foreign nationals ( FNS) will now be allowed entry into the country under the new issuance of the Inter- Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease ( IATF).

In Resolution 80, Series of 2020, the IATF decided to further relax its restrictions for the entry of FNS in the country.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said among the FNS who will now be allowed to entry in local airport sand sea ports are those with visas issued by the Bureau of Immigration pursuant to Executive Order 226, or the Omnibus Investments Code, as amended and Republic Act 8756.

Also exempted from the entry restrictions are those with 47( a)( 2) visas issued by the Department of Justice, as well as those visas issued by the Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority.

“The entry of these foreign nationals to the country, however, is subject to conditions, such as they must have valid and existing visa at the time of the entry and must likewise have a pre- booked accredited quarantine facility,” Roque said.

They will also be subject to maximum capacity of inbound passengers at the port and date of entry and must follow applicable immigration laws, rules and regulations.

Roque stressed that some FNS, including those with tourist visa, will still not be allowed to travel in the country for now.

Last March, the IATF ordered the Department of Foreign Affairs ( DFA) to stop issuing visas to FNS as part of government efforts to limit the entry of possible Covid carriers into the country.

However, it exempted FNS who are spouses and children of Filipino citizens, as well as employees of other countries and international organizations from the said restriction.

In a related development, Roque said the IATF has also removed the antigen testing requirement for outbound Filipino travelers.

To recall, the IATF required the said travelers to undergo antigen testing within 24 hours before departure as a pre- boarding requirement.