THE Department of Transportation (DOTr) announced on Saturday that, based on a Department of Health circular, vaccination certificates for inbound travelers will no longer have to be presented upon entry in the country.
According to the DOH-Bureau of Quarantine Memorandum Circular 2023-06, the order covers inbound travelers in airports and seaports.
“All arriving international travelers are accepted regardless of their vaccination status,” according to the DOH.
DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista, in a Facebook post, welcomed the recent Department of Health proclamation, adding that the DOTr had been closely coordinating with the Bureau of Quarantine even before the announcement to ensure the safety and security of passengers.
“This is indeed a very welcome development on our part. The DOTr has been coordinating with the DOH through the BOQ to ensure that all passengers are accorded safe and convenient travel. We will implement and follow this,” he said.
Likewise, the BOQ said international travelers will be accepted entry regardless of vaccination status.
The order follows President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s Proclamation No. 297, which lifts the country’s Public Health Emergency due to COVID-19 last July 21, 2023.
