By The SUN
 |
| Travelers now have the option of filling out the e-arrival card when they land in Manila |
Starting on Nov. 1, passengers bound for the Philippines are no longer required to
fill out the electronic arrival card (e-arrival card) before boarding their flights,
Malacanang said yesterday (Wednesday).
The
Office of the Press Secretary said in a statement that lanes will be set up in
all ports of entry for those who have yet to complete the e-arrival card
registration.
Filling
out the numerous information required in the e-arrival card and its
predecessor, the OneHealthPass, has prompted widespread complaints among
inbound travelers.
 |
| PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE |
In
Hong Kong, at least two returning overseas Filipino workers were unable to
board their Manila-bound flight because they failed to complete the
OneHealthPass before the departure gates were closed.
“Hindi
na ito mandatory; lanes will be set up in airports for this system,” said an
officer of the Press Office.
The
use of the e-arrival cards for all incoming travelers was made mandatory for all new arrivals starting on Tuesday, Nov.1. The entry pass could be filled out within 72
hours before flying to Manila.
 |
| PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE |
However, in a press briefing Tuesday, Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco said all Cabinet secretaries agreed to a proposal to that filling out the e-arrival card would no longer be required during check-in.
Instead, travelers can now fill out the said card at their own convenience, either before departure, or upon arrival where they can get help.
Frasco said special lanes will be set up at all ports of entry for those
who did not have the chance to fill out the e-arrival card.
 |
| MAY CHANCE KA PANG MANALO! |
She
also announced the decision to do away totally with requiring RT-PCR tests for
arriving passengers who did not receive a booster dose of a Covid vaccine.
Under
the new rules, even unvaccinated foreigners need only present a negative result
for a rapid antigen test taken before their flight, or on arrival in the
Philippines.
“The
overarching direction of the Marcos administration is to allow our country to
convey an openness and a readiness to the world to receive tourists and
investments so that we would give our fellow Filipinos an opportunity to regain
all the livelihood and losses that were incurred during the pandemic,” she
said.
 |
| Press for details |
Separately,
the Philippine government has also made the wearing of face mask voluntary in
all indoor public places. Previously, mask-off was allowed only in outdoor
spaces.
However,
people will still be required to wear a mask when taking public transportation,
medical transportation and medical facilities.
Frasco
said in the earlier press briefing that persons who are unvaccinated and those
with co-morbities or are senior citizens are still “highly encouraged” to wear
masks.
 |
| PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE |
But
the Department of Health appears to be not as enthusiastic about allowing more
people to take off their masks in public.
In
a separate statement, the DOH said people will be more protected against
Covid-19 if they use more layers of protection.
These
include, said the DOH, vaccination, social distancing, taking care of one’s
health, proper ventilation and sanitation, apart from masking.
