The Philippines has lifted its ban on UAE visitors after nearly four months, according to a statement released on Saturday. UAE: Expats are willing to return home now as the Philippines has lifted its travel ban.
According to presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, the Philippine government would lift present limitations for travelers flying in from the UAE, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Oman, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia beginning September 6.
“International travelers from the aforementioned nations, on the other hand, must adhere to the proper entry, testing, and quarantine processes, as determined by the country’s approved ‘listing,’” Roque stated.
“International travelers from the aforementioned nations, on the other hand, must adhere to the proper entry, testing, and quarantine processes, as determined by the country’s approved ‘listing,’” Roque stated. UAE: Expats are willing to return home now as the Philippines has lifted its travel ban.
On May 15, the Philippines imposed a travel ban on UAE citizens, stranding hundreds of expats and tourists. Since then, the Philippine government has been organizing repatriation flights to transport Filipinos in difficulty, those with expired visas, sick patients, and other expats in need back to their homeland.
Despite the easing of restrictions, airlines are still waiting for clarification on travel protocols.
UAE: Expats are willing to return home now as the Philippines has lifted its travel ban. We are currently waiting for the rules and travel SOP for passengers from the UAE,” a Philippine Airlines representative told Khaleej Times. While the prohibitions have been lifted, it is unclear whether the UAE will be classified as a red, yellow, or green tourism destination.”
If the UAE is classified as a ‘yellow’ country, all visitors will be required to spend 14 days in quarantine, regardless of vaccination status. They will be required to stay in a government-approved hotel for the first ten days, after which they will be allowed to return home. On the seventh day, they must also take a PCR test.
Carl Duffrey Bartolome, an expat, would not fly if he had to spend two weeks in quarantine.
UAE: Expats are willing to return home now as the Philippines has lifted its travel ban “Because of the quarantine, we’ll be wasting our holiday time. Why UAE Expats are willing to return home now as the Philippines has lifted its travel ban They should take into account that the majority of people in the UAE are already vaccinated,” added Bartolome, who had finished both his Sinovac and Pfizer-BioNTech booster shots.
Nonetheless, the airline source continued, repatriation flights are running smoothly. “The future demand for travel in this area will be influenced by inbound passenger quarantine regulations. We’re still waiting, and perhaps we’ll get more information by (today).” UAE: Expats are willing to return home now as the Philippines has lifted its travel ban.
The news comes as a huge comfort to several Filipino expats who haven’t seen their relatives in over a year due to the outbreak.
