Filipinos wishing to return home must be fully inoculated

KOTA KINABALU: Filipinos in Sabah wanting to return home are reminded to make sure they are fully inoculated, including having booster shot to avoid trip cancellation.

“We urge our countrymen like the OWFs (Overseas Filipino Workers), OFs (Overseas Filipinos or Balikbayan), and those stranded in Sabah due to the Covid-19 pandemic to undergo RT-PCR test 48 hours before the scheduled departure date.

“Also coordinate with the Malaysian Immigration authority and the Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur for the required travel documents,” Persatuan Kababayan Sabah (PKS) chairman Julius Porly said.

He said it is also equally vital for the returnees including Malaysian tourists and businessmen to check with their airlines/ferry operator (Aleson Shipping) on updates of travel requirements before purchasing tickets.

The Manila government has recently announced the opening of borders to foreign visitors starting February 10.

Starting February 1, the Philippine government is temporarily suspending its risk classification list for countries, in favour of allowing fully vaccinated individuals to enter the country.

Foreigners could enter the Philippines for either tourism or business purposes from next week onwards (Feb 10).

Julius welcomed the Manila decision whereby returning Filipinos and foreigners who are fully vaccinated are no longer required to go through mandatory quarantine.

Inbound passengers only need a negative RT-PCR test done within 48 hours before their departure from abroad, he said.

Since the pandemic started, the Philippines has shut its borders to tourists, and only foreigners with valid Philippine visas were allowed to enter.

The Philippines was supposed to reopen its borders in December 2021 but this was deferred due to the Omicron variant.

Julius said the opening of Philippine borders would also mean Filipino deportees from Sabah would be allowed to go home.