IATF OKs Covid-19 vax certificates of Morocco, Kenya, Serbia

MANILA – The Philippines is now accepting the national coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccine certificates of Morocco, Kenya, and Serbia, Malacañang announced on Saturday.

The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) approved on Friday the acceptance and recognition of the three countries’ certificates.

In a press statement, Presidential Spokesperson and Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said travelers from Morocco, Kenya, and Serbia can present the Covid-19 vaccination certificates for purposes of arrival quarantine protocols, as well as for interzonal or intrazonal movement.

“This is in addition to other countries/territories/jurisdictions whose proofs of vaccination the IATF has already approved for recognition in the Philippines, and without prejudice to such other proofs of vaccination approved by the IATF for all inbound travelers,” he said.

Andanar said the IATF-EID has directed the Bureau of Quarantine, the Department of Transportation’s One-Stop-Shop, and the Bureau of Immigration to recognize only the proofs of vaccination approved by the IATF.

To date, the Philippines recognizes the vaccination certificates of over 70 countries, territories, and jurisdictions.

Apart from the national Covid-19 vaccination certificates, the Philippines is also accepting the World Health Organization International Certificate of Vaccination and Prophylaxis, VaxCertPH, national or state digital certificate of a foreign country accepting VaxCertPH, and other proofs of vaccination authorized by the IATF-EID.

Foreign travelers can enter the country sans an entry exemption document, so long as they comply with the applicable visa requirements and immigration entry and departure formalities.

They must also have passports valid for at least six months at the time of their arrival, as well as valid tickets for their return journey to the port of origin or next port of destination not later than 30 days from the date of arrival.

Before they arrive in the Philippines, they must secure travel insurance for Covid-19 treatment costs from reputable insurance providers, with a minimum coverage of USD35,000 for the duration of their stay in the country.

Foreigners who fail to comply with the conditions and requisites set by the IATF-EID shall be denied admission and shall be subject to the appropriate exclusion proceedings.