COVID-19 vaccination cards required for China-bound Pinoys

MANILA, Philippines — Although the government has been strict with the entry and exit of Filipino travelers, National Task Force Against COVID-19 chief implementer Carlito Galvez Jr. said those who wish to travel to China may show their vaccination cards as proof that they were inoculated against the disease.

“One can use the vaccine booklet just in case China will issue what we call a permission or what is called as freedom to travel because they have started the vaccination,” Galvez said at a virtual presser with presidential spokesman Harry Roque Jr. yesterday.

Galvez was reacting to Beijing’s announcement that it will simplify visa applications for foreign nationals who have been inoculated with China-made vaccines against COVID.

The vaccine booklets reflect the dates of the first and second inoculation of a person as well as the brand of vaccine used.

Vaccinated passengers traveling to China by air would still need to show negative test results based on current rules, according to an official transcript of a daily briefing that quoted Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian.

The transcript did not provide details on how visa applications would be simplified.

The Chinese embassy in Manila said it started facilitating visa applications of foreigners, including Filipinos who have been fully vaccinated with China-made COVID vaccines.

The embassy said it would pay close attention to vaccination progress and relevant arrangements regarding the issuances of COVID-19 vaccination certificates in the Philippines.

It will also coordinate closely with relevant Philippine authorities in establishing mechanisms for verifying vaccination certificates.

Passengers bound for China are still required to provide negative test results or certificates of nucleic acid tests and IgM antibody tests before boarding. –  Pia Lee-Brago