General Info

[QUOTE=Breadman;2712518]Was watching a youtube video by Tim K and he and his Filipina wife were flying from Kuala Lumpur back to the Philippines and were denied entry. Because 'fully vaccinated' in PH means you had one booster. Neither of them had boosters so they had to wait in 'jail' and were sent back to Kuala Lumpur. If you only have 2 shots they won't let you enter the Philippines, you'll need the 3rd (booster). You have an option of doing 5 days in quarantine but they couldn't find any hotels still offering that.[/QUOTE]I watched the vid:

[URL]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CO1_zJfLpFk[/URL]

I am guessing that is the one? At 9:23 into the video, sitting at NAIA, she turns to her husband and says: "What it the difference in getting your antigen test there (KL) and here?" It appears they did not get covid tested within the 24 hour window prior to departure in KL. The BOQ waives the pre-departure covid test only if you are boosted. At 15:50 into the video, the husband confessed that the couple didn't follow the rules. I must say, the gent remained calm and cool thru the video. Apparently the airline failed them in KL by checking their documents THREE TIMES and missing the required negative covid test each time.

A couple of thoughts about the video. The first third is spent at their hotel and the KL airport. The camera is on a selfie stick, and hubby likes to slowly turn circles while talking into the camera; you could get motion-sickness as the background does not stop turning. Also notice at NAIA, the public areas where they are with the BOQ people, calm, orderly, quiet.

The couple was sent back. A stark reminder of how serious and unbending the government is here regarding the 'rules'.

A month ago somebody mentioned this place for printing needs: InterMatrix. See pics. Its on Makat Ave, next door to Hossein's resto, and across the street from the Sogo (Makati Ave corner Burgos street). Walk in with your stuff, or email them and then walk in. They are relatively fast. I emailed them 6 pages of documents that I needed printed in color and walked in to pick them up. I also needed a passport-type pic of myself for a government document, so I took a selfie on the wall, square-cropped it, and emailed it to them right then. They printed the color documents and eight 2"x2" pics for me for p175. I was in the store for 5 minutes. Have been back several times, they do good work. Open 9 am-6 pm.

I have been living in Cebu City since July 2019 and when I arrived I was given a 30 day tourist visa. Immigration allows you to apply for extensions (normally a maximum of 6 months at a time) up to a maximum of 3 years, after which you need to exit the country.

There doesn't appear to be a time limit set on how long you need to exit the country for. On my last visit to the Immigration office in Lapu-Lapu I asked if it would be ok if I left then returned the same day, and was told that would be alright.

So my 3 years is up and I have just left the Philippines, it was my first trip out of the country since I arrived in 2019. I was originally planning a week-long trip to Taiwan (I have never been there), but they still have Covid restrictions in place which would mean that on arrival I would need to quarantine for 3 days!

Fcuk that!

About 2 weeks ago I read that Thailand will be scrapping all Covid restrictions on July 1, which was perfect timing for me! That was a deciding factor for me so I booked a return flight to Thailand and am now in Bangkok and will be going back to Cebu in about 3 weeks.

Now there are no restrictions on entry into Thailand for the vaxxed or the unvaxxed. The outdoor face-mask requirement has been dropped, the requirement for a compulsory certification of fitness for entry has been dropped, the compulsory Thailand Pass registration and compulsory insurance requirements have been lifted, and there will be no requirement to obtain a Covid test before arrival in Thailand. Apparently there will be random Covid tests at the airports on arriving unvaxxed passengers.

I am unvaxxed and have never had a Covid test. Covid tests were not required when leaving Cebu and Manila, but when checking in at the Mactan-Cebu airport I was asked to show my proof of vaccination record and was told it would be needed for arrival in Thailand. I advised them that this restriction has been lifted, from July 1, but they were insistent that it was needed and advised me that without it I would not be allowed to board! So I reluctantly showed them a screenshot of my son's UK vaccination record which I have doctored with my name, and hoped they wouldn't try and validate it but after a quick glance at my phone they gave me the OK.

When I arrived at the airport in Bkk, and before I went through Immigration, I was asked to provide my proof of vaccination record and my passport. I saw that they were only checking the name on the vax record to see if it matched the name on the passport, there was no validation check on the authenticity of the vax record, each inspection lasted no more than about 10 seconds, so I showed mine and I breezed through.

I took my face mask off on the plane when I was about half way to Bkk, I was not challenged, and don't plan to wear it again until I arrive back in the Phillipines.

Face-masks are still required to be worn in the Philippines when outdoors and when entering restaurants, shopping malls etc. From observation since arriving in Bkk in the early hours of Saturday morning, close to 100% of Thais and foreigners were still wearing face-masks outdoors and in the malls, despite there being no requirement to do so! Apparently a face mask is required on public transport, I have used meter taxis and both the MRT and the BTS since I arrived and never bothered with a face mask and I was never challenged.

I had a wander around Patpong Saturday night and Soi Nana last night, and plan to visit Soi Cowboy tonight. I will post a report in the Thailand forum in a day or two.

I'm not sure what's going to happen when I arrive back in Manila, if they are validating the vax records for foreign arrivals then I won't be able to use my doctored vax record, I may end up having to go into quarantine.

A reminder; if you have spent more than 6 months in the Philippines on a tourist visa you need to obtain an 'exit clearance' from Immigration before you leave, I got mine last week and it cost P500.

[QUOTE=Mdemde;2716025]There doesn't appear to be a time limit set on how long you need to exit the country for. On my last visit to the Immigration office in Lapu-Lapu I asked if it would be ok if I left then returned the same day, and was told that would be alright.[/QUOTE]Know of 2 gents. One flew to HK, the other to Taiwan. I mention them because they both said they ate a meal there, then returned back to Phils immediately, to restart their 3-year Phils poon-pounding ritual.

[QUOTE=Mdemde;2716025]About 2 weeks ago I read that Thailand will be scrapping all Covid restrictions on July 1, which was perfect timing for me! That was a deciding factor for me so I booked a return flight to Thailand and am now in Bangkok and will be going back to Cebu in about 3 weeks.[/QUOTE]Good call. Better hunting in Thai.

[QUOTE=Mdemde;2716025]I'm not sure what's going to happen when I arrive back in Manila, if they are validating the vax records for foreign arrivals then I won't be able to use my doctored vax record, I may end up having to go into quarantine.[/QUOTE]Will PM you.

[QUOTE=Mdemde;2716025]A reminder; if you have spent more than 6 months in the Philippines on a tourist visa you need to obtain an 'exit clearance' from Immigration before you leave, I got mine last week and it cost P500.[/QUOTE]Ya. Nobody at BI mentions that you need one. If you aren't aware of it, you might just get chewed out by outbound BI upon exit from NAIA, and pay a fee.

I am anti-mask for the vaccinated, and pro 'restrict the unvaccinated from participating in society'. I guess if you want to commit international felonies that is between you and your god, the universe, Allah, or whatever imaginary deity you worship.

[QUOTE=Mdemde;2716025]
I am unvaxxed and have never had a Covid test. Covid tests were not required when leaving Cebu and Manila, but when checking in at the Mactan-Cebu airport I was asked to show my proof of vaccination record and was told it would be needed for arrival in Thailand. I advised them that this restriction has been lifted, from July 1, but they were insistent that it was needed and advised me that without it I would not be allowed to board! So I reluctantly showed them a screenshot of my son's UK vaccination record which I have doctored with my name, and hoped they wouldn't try and validate it but after a quick glance at my phone they gave me the OK.
.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Mdemde;2716025]
I'm not sure what's going to happen when I arrive back in Manila, if they are validating the vax records for foreign arrivals then I won't be able to use my doctored vax record, I may end up having to go into quarantine.
[/QUOTE]You still need your Philippines health pass to be done prior to boarding. Not a problem if you are vaccinated. You should check on process if not.

[QUOTE=Mdemde;2716025]I have been living in Cebu City since July 2019 and when I arrived I was given a 30 day tourist visa. Immigration allows you to apply for extensions (normally a maximum of 6 months at a ti).[/QUOTE]You can buy vax papers in Europe for 250 euro, as many jabs as you like. I am sure many doctors in Phils and Thailand would oblige. I am unvaxxed myself and have no papers but would get them under certain circumstances. I will get vaxxed under no circumstances, which is a pity as I miss banging stunners two at a time for chump change.

[QUOTE=GDreams;2716294]You still need your Philippines health pass to be done prior to boarding. Not a problem if you are vaccinated. You should check on process if not.[/QUOTE]Some general info from the DOH website: [URL]https://doh.gov.ph/[/URL].

Here is a DOH list of accredited Covid-19 testing labs. There are dozens of other labs that offer testing, including those who are mobile and can come to your address with an appointment made in advance (find on social media, and my previously posted pics):

[URL]https://doh.gov.ph/licensed-covid-19-testing-laboratories[/URL]

And here is a list of DOH-approved telemedicine service providers (each has a link you can click on):

[URL]https://doh.gov.ph/List-of-DOH-vetted-3rd-Party-Telemedicine-Service-Providers[/URL]

See pics. That's St. Giles hotel with the large "Multiple Use Hotel" sign outside. Some floors for regular customers, other floors for quarantine (you remember, for like the guy previously reported here from the youtube link, you flew in from KL with his pinay wife, and was deported for not getting a pre-flight covid test, and couldn't find a Q hotel) or Covid patients. Red Planet hotels and others are "Multiple Use" now. Other pics are DOH stats on number of cases, number of vaxxes.

[QUOTE=FuriousGeorge;2716059]I am anti-mask for the vaccinated, and pro 'restrict the unvaccinated from participating in society'. I guess if you want to commit international felonies that is between you and your god, the universe, Allah, or whatever imaginary deity you worship.[/QUOTE]You are definitely believing in something imaginary if you are still holding on to this belief when the health minister of Thailand caught covid after being vaccinated 6 times and 1 visit to France. Meanwhile this guy here has participated in the society of at least 7 different countries with no vaccination in these covid times. Why should the person with no covid and no vaccination need a muzzle, but the health minister of Thailand with covid and 6 jabs be allowed to roam free and spread the disease around?

[QUOTE=PedroMorales;2716326]You can buy vax papers in Europe for 250 euro, as many jabs as you like. [/QUOTE]Or you could make your own for free.

I can't find anything online that says unvaxxed foreigners can enter Phils. Previously, I thought that they could, if they quarantined first. Not sure where I saw that (or maybe I misread it). I looked on these, and all call for a full vaccination for entry (in addition, fully vaxxed + booster allows skipping the pre-departure covid test). Anyone see anything that says un-vaccinated foreigners can enter if they quarantine?

[URL]https://visitor.tourism.gov.ph/[/URL]

[URL]https://biyahefinder.com/covid-travel-requirements-to-the-philippines/[/URL]

[URL]https://ph.usembassy.gov/message-for-u-s-citizens-updated-philippine-entry-and-exit-requirements-june-1-2022/[/URL]

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2716735]Anyone see anything that says un-vaccinated foreigners can enter if they quarantine?[/QUOTE]

If you saw previous post before editing, ignore what I said. I checked Travel Restriction guides I was issued by my HR department for both times I travelled back from Middle East. It clearly says all foreign nationals must provide acceptable proof of vaccination.

Just for those using faked certification, guidance states:

“Fraudulent and/or unverified vaccine certification, and passengers non compliance with insurance requirements shall be liability of airline carriers”

[QUOTE=MrEnternational;2716402]Or you could make your own for free.[/QUOTE]I don't have those skills and I am not going to risk being in big doo doo in Manila.

I did check up for the 10000th time travelling from Thailand to Philippines on a US passport unvaccunated. Mixed signals: 1. No entry. 2. Covid test needed.

I am not going to get caught out with such cross messages, arguing with an immigration moron. Nazi / official. I do miss the BBFS and the clap but I have other interests. I was out weeding this morning, much better than being forced to give BBNJCIM in some Manila dungeon.

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2716735]Anyone see anything that says un-vaccinated foreigners can enter if they quarantine?
[/QUOTE]There used to be a blurb about foreign nationals being able to enter with a medical cert after recovering from covid and / or following strict testing protocols accepting the quarantine. How ever it seems as if they just totally stopped accepting unvaccinated foreigners. Seems like the confusion is that Filipinos can get in unvaccinated given the right circumstances but they seem to have totally banned unvaccinated foreigners. They may not even offer quarantine facilities to foreigners now as this website doesn't even show any available hotels anymore. ([URL]https://www.philippineairlines.com/en/ph/home/covid-19/ArrivingInThePH/ManilaQuarantineHotels[/URL]).

The language seems to have changed and now states "Unvaccinated, partially vaccinated, and those whose vaccination status cannot be verified are not Allowed to travel to the Philippines. ".

[URL]https://www.philippineairlines.com/en/ph/home/covid-19/arrivingintheph#:~:text=New%20Entry%2C%20Testing%2C%20and%20Quarantine%20Protocols&text=All%20arriving%20passengers%20must%20register,protocols%20of%20the%20parent%2Fs.[/URL]

Edit: actually at the top of the page is says this "International passengers must follow the arrival procedures of their PH port of entry mandated by PAL and the Philippine Government. Unvaccinated, partially vaccinated, and passengers whose vaccination status cannot be verified shall be required to complete a facility-based quarantine at the first port of entry into the Philippines, regardless the onward domestic destination. Ensure to check your first PH arrival airport prior to booking the facility." meh? I dont know.... lol!

[QUOTE=MontanaMonger;2717148]There used to be a blurb about foreign nationals being able to enter with a medical cert after recovering from covid and / or following strict testing protocols accepting the quarantine. How ever it seems as if they just totally stopped accepting unvaccinated foreigners. Seems like the confusion is that Filipinos can get in unvaccinated given the right circumstances but they seem to have totally banned unvaccinated foreigners. They may not even offer quarantine facilities to foreigners now as this website doesn't even show any available hotels anymore. ([URL]https://www.philippineairlines.com/en/ph/home/covid-19/ArrivingInThePH/ManilaQuarantineHotels[/URL]).

The language seems to have changed and now states "Unvaccinated, partially vaccinated, and those whose vaccination status cannot be verified are not Allowed to travel to the Philippines. ".[/QUOTE]You mean its a sh*t-show of:

1) Government mis-information?

2) Internet mis-information?

3) Nobody really knows what to expect?

4) "Hope it works once I land at NAIA based on what that chick Jennifer Terri said on youtube"?

We would all be shocked. SHOCKED to learn this. Previously (2 months ago) on the OHP website, if you failed to upload a pic of your vaccination card, you had to drop down a menu of Q hotels and choose one (you could not proceed with your OHP requirements without it). The list had more than 500 hotels in the NCR. As I am not utilizing the OHP website, I am not sure if that part is even still there. However from the vid provided by Breadman of the KL-NAIA gent who was turned away a few weeks ago, that gent was provided with a list of such Q hotels at NAIA; he and the missus were shown in his vid as busy calling some of those hotels (he had forgotten to get his pre-departure covid test).