The south-east Asian destination will open to visitors from all visa-free countries, which includes the UK and Ireland.

Tourism secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat made the announcement on Friday (28 January) after a proposal by the Department of Tourism (DOT) was accepted. 
  
“The department sees this as a welcome development that will contribute significantly to job restoration, primarily in tourism-dependent communities, and in the reopening of businesses that have earlier shut down during the pandemic,’’ said Puyat. 
 
“We are confident that we will be able to keep pace with our Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) neighbours who have already made similar strides to reopen to foreign tourists.”

From 10 February, leisure travellers will no longer be required to go into quarantine, provided they present a negative PCR test result 48 hours before departure. They will also have to carry proof of vaccination against Covid-19.
 
“We are also aware that there is no room for complacency given the unpredictability of the virus. We will closely monitor the situation and ensure that health and safety protocols are strictly implemented in all tourism establishments,” said Puyat.