LIST: Domestic destinations that don’t require COVID testing for fully vaccinated visitors
It’s one piece of good news after another for local tourists—especially for the fully vaccinated.
If you completed your vaccination two weeks prior to your date of travel, you can skip the RT-PCR or antigen testing required by LGUs. If you’re unvaccinated or partially vaccinated, you can avail of free swab tests at the Philippine Children’s Medical Center (PCMC).
The Department of Tourism (DOT) has released the latest list of local government units (LGUs) with jurisdiction over tourist destinations that have removed their COVID-19 swab test requirement.
Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat said the DOT is pushing for fewer restrictions and requirements, especially if the destinations have high vaccination rates of locals and tourism workers.
The government is pushing for 100% vaccination of tourism workers across the Philippines by December 2021.
Most destinations still require online registration and QR codes on top of travelers’ proof of vaccination (they can either present their vax cards issued upon vaccination or a certificate). Check your destination’s social media pages for the latest.
A source at the DOT confirmed that as of Nov. 2, these destinations have removed their RT-PCR or antigen testing requirement for the fully vaccinated.
Visitors are required to present their vaccination card or a vaccination certificate at the following:
- Cebu Province
- Lapu-Lapu City
- Catbalogan City
- Baguio City
Destinations that require vaccination certificates acquired through VaxCertPH (doh.gov.ph) are:
- Bohol
- Iloilo City
- Negros Occidental
Destinations that only require a visitor’s vaccination card are:
- Clark Freeport Zone (except areas under ECQ)
- Subic Bay Freeport Zone
- Misamis Oriental
- Masbate Province
- Tacloban City
- Tarlac (for areas under ECQ and MECQ)
- Southern Leyte
- Maasin City
Boracay island is set to waive RT-PCR testing for the vaccinated starting this month but has yet to announce a date. All tourists including those from the National Capital Region (NCR) must present a negative RT-PCR test result—except those from Panay island including Guimaras province.
The unvaccinated may avail of free RT-PCR tests by registering online at the Tourism Promotions Board's (TPB) website at least five days before their planned travel date. TPB accepts only 350 registrations per travel date.
