The Philippines lifted a nearly two-year ban on foreign travelers yesterday as an Omicron-fueled surge eased. Foreign travelers from 157 countries with visa-free arrangements with the Philippines who have been fully vaccinated and tested negative for the virus will be welcomed back with no need to quarantine upon arrival. Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat said the border reopening would restore jobs and generate revenue across various enterprises and communities. The Philippines imposed one of the world's longest lockdowns and strictest quarantine to quell a pandemic that caused the worst recession since the 1940s. More than a million Filipinos lost tourism-linked jobs in the first year, and natural disasters added hurt.

Source: The Standard February 11, 2022 07:17 UTC