From February 10, the Philippines finally reopened to fully vaccinated travellers.
The nation had originally planned a December reopening, but this was pushed back due to concerns about Omicron.
Vaccinated citizens of 150 countries with visa-free entry to the Philippines will be allowed to enter, which includes South Africa.
"[This] will contribute significantly to job restoration, primarily in tourism-dependent communities, and in the reopening of businesses that have earlier shut down," Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat said in an official statement.
Mandatory quarantine for returning nationals was lifted on February 1 and, from February 10, quarantine is no longer required for foreign tourists.
Arrivals must, however, continue to show evidence of a negative PCR test obtained in the 48 hours before travel.
Scuba-diving and snorkelling in the Philippines are rated highly, with some divers saying it’s the best in the world. The chain of 7 000 islands in the Western Pacific have 35 400 km of coastline and an average water temperature 29˚C. Pristine coral reefs and lush coral gardens shelter huge schools of fish and every type of sea life.
