PAL welcomes eased domestic travel rules for all ages

Philippine Airlines (PAL) welcomed the government's easing of domestic travel restrictions, allowing point-to-point interzonal travel for all ages, provided seniors, pregnant women, and persons with identified health risks are fully vaccinated.

New Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) guidelines permit travel for individuals below 18 years of age and fully vaccinated individuals over 65 years of age, while those aged 18 to 65 are allowed to travel regardless of vaccination status.

Travelers are still subject to the regulations and protocols set by the Local Government Unit (LGU) of their destination and the Department of Tourism.

PAL noted specific LGUs that have relaxed travel protocols, including for travel to Cebu, Iloilo, Butuan, Dipolog, Tacloban, Dumaguete, Cagayan de Oro, and Palawan.

As of October 13, 2021, destinations such as Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Catarman, and Pagadian City have eased requirements, often accepting vaccination cards in lieu of RT-PCR tests for fully vaccinated travelers.

For destinations like Coron and Culion, fully vaccinated travelers with negative RT-PCR or saliva test results are permitted, while unvaccinated or partially vaccinated individuals are prohibited.

Cebu Province allows travelers to present a medical certificate obtained within 24 hours before their flight, and Cebu City permits fully vaccinated travelers to use a saliva test taken within 48 hours of departure as an alternative to RT-PCR or antigen tests.

Travelers whose final destination is Mactan Island must adhere to Lapu-Lapu City's regulations, which currently require a negative RT-PCR or antigen test result before departure.