By MSN News 

Posted on 14 March 2021

The proposal of requiring a vaccine passport for local tourists might be required in the future according to Department of Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat in an interview with the Summit Sandwich Sessions. According to her, the initiative is something that the Department is considering for local tourists in the hopes of encouraging travel once the COVID-19 vaccination starts to roll out.

"Definitely, anything that will promote ease of travel, we are for. In fact, other countries have already been talking about the vaccine passport," she shares.

Some other governments are considering the same proposal which will require travelers to submit a digital document that contains their vaccination status, including the dates that they got vaccinated.

The passports will not only be checked at international borders but can also be asked at other commercial establishments like cinemas, hotels, malls, and restaurants in the future.

Romulo-Puyat, however, reiterated that the quarantine requirement, as well as minimum public health standards like social distancing, frequent disinfection, and use of masks and face shields are still required. Balikbayans from the United States who have already received the vaccinations are also still required to fulfill the 14-day quarantine period if they decide to visit the Philippines.