Travelers arriving in the country's airports and seaports will no longer be required to present their COVID-19 vaccination certificates or cards, the Department of Transportation (DOtr) announced on Saturday, August 12.
In a statement, DOTr said this comes after the Department of Health (DOH) issued Memorandum Circular 2023-06 allowing the entry of international passengers, regardless of their vaccination status.
"This is indeed a very welcome development on our part. The DOTr has been coordinating with the DOH through the BOQ [Bureau of Quarantine] to ensure that all passengers are accorded safe and convenient travel. We will implement and follow this," DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista said as quoted by the agency.
The DOTr said the BOQ also affirmed that international traveler will be not mandated to present vaccination certificates or cards.
The DOH lifted the vaccination cards requirement weeks, two weeks since President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. lifted the public health emergency due to COVID-19 accross the country through the issuance of Proclamation No. 297.
The DOTr earlier ordered the removal of the mandatory wearing of face masks policy and other health protocols in public utility vehichles (PUVs).
