The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) on Thursday, October 22, allowed the entry of foreign nationals starting November 1, 2020.
These foreign nationals include those with visas issued by the Bureau of Immigration pursuant to Executive Order No. 226, or the Omnibus Investments Code, as amended, and Republic Act. No. 8756; those with 47(a)(2) visas issued by the Department of Justice; and 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. In addition, they must be subject to the maximum capacity of inbound passengers at the port and date of entry and must follow applicable immigration laws, rules and regulations.
On another matter, the IATF approved during its 80th meeting the lifting of the pre-boarding testing requirement for outbound Filipino travelers amending IATF Resolution No. 79, which asked for a negative Antigen test result taken within 24 hours before departure as a pre-boarding requirement.
The IATF likewise allowed religious gatherings in areas under General Community Quarantine (GCQ) up to 30% of the seating or venue capacity from the previous 10%.
Also approved is the resumption of the motorcycle taxi pilot study, which would be implemented and monitored by the National Task Force Against COVID-19 (NTF) and the Department of Transportation (DOTr).
The House of Representatives earlier urged the IATF, the NTF, and the DOTr to extend the conduct of the motorcycle taxi pilot study program.
(From Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque)
