• Tourists visit the Lourdes grotto on the main beach of Boracay island, Philippines. Bloomberg
    Tourists visit the Lourdes grotto on the main beach of Boracay island, Philippines. Bloomberg
  • Passport check at an immigration counter at Manila's international airport. AP
    Passport check at an immigration counter at Manila's international airport. AP
  • A day out at White Beach, Boracay Island. Reuters
    A day out at White Beach, Boracay Island. Reuters
  • Tourists watch the sun set, on sailboats in Boracay. Reuters
    Tourists watch the sun set, on sailboats in Boracay. Reuters
  • Boracay Island has one of the top beaches in the Philippines. AFP
    Boracay Island has one of the top beaches in the Philippines. AFP
  • El Nido in Palawan, Philippines. Photo: Explorar Hotels & Resorts
    El Nido in Palawan, Philippines. Photo: Explorar Hotels & Resorts
  • The Clark International Airport in Pampanga.
    The Clark International Airport in Pampanga.
  • Intramuros, the ­historic walled city.
    Intramuros, the ­historic walled city.
  • Waterfalls in Bislig, southern Philippines. Reuters
    Waterfalls in Bislig, southern Philippines. Reuters
  • The crater lake of Mount Pinatubo is one of the popular tourist attractions of Central Luzon. Photo: Emirates
    The crater lake of Mount Pinatubo is one of the popular tourist attractions of Central Luzon. Photo: Emirates
  • Tourists ride a paddle board at Cadlao Lagoon in El Nido, Palawan Islands. EPA
    Tourists ride a paddle board at Cadlao Lagoon in El Nido, Palawan Islands. EPA

Philippines introduces new online platform for all inbound travellers


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The Philippines government is introducing an online portal for inbound travellers.

From Friday, those entering the South-East Asian country will have to access the eTravel portal to provide their arrival and health information — which are mandatory entry requirements.

The platform replaces the One Health Pass website, which was launched by the Philippines' government to manage travellers during the Covid-19 pandemic. This website will no longer be accessible from Monday.

It also replaces the paper arrival card, which has long been the system for immigration clearance for inbound travellers.

The government encourages travellers to the Philippines to register through the new platform, which it calls the “one-stop electronic travel declaration system”.

How does it work?

All inbound travellers, including infants and children, should be registered through the platform 72 hours before their arrival in the Philippines.

Travellers can register by inputting personal details, including passport and vaccination information.

Upon registration, a personal QR code will be generated. Travellers are advised to take a screenshot of the code, as it serves as proof that will be required upon check-in, boarding and arrival in the Philippines.

A green or a red QR code will be given to show compliance with the latest health protocols. Those with green QR codes can pass through checkpoints easily and will pass through express lanes at Philippines' airports.

Those with red codes will be interviewed upon arrival and will undergo a manual verification to determine whether facility-based quarantine or RT-PCR testing is required.

The Philippines, known for its tropical tourism offerings, was heavily hit by the Covid-induced restrictions. In 2020, AFP reported fewer than 1.48 million tourists travelled to the country, down from more than eight million in 2019.

White Beach in Boracay Island, the Philippines. The national government is trying to boost tourist numbers. Reuters
White Beach in Boracay Island, the Philippines. The national government is trying to boost tourist numbers. Reuters

The country has since relaxed its Covid-related rules for travellers. According to the official government website, fully vaccinated Filipinos and foreigners entering the country are no longer required to have a pre-departure Covid-19 test.

Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated travellers are still required to present a rapid antigen test taken 24 hours before departure.

Scroll through the gallery below for pictures on Philippines tourism

  • Tourists visit the Lourdes grotto on the main beach of Boracay island, Philippines. Bloomberg
    Tourists visit the Lourdes grotto on the main beach of Boracay island, Philippines. Bloomberg
  • Passport check at an immigration counter at Manila's international airport. AP
    Passport check at an immigration counter at Manila's international airport. AP
  • A day out at White Beach, Boracay Island. Reuters
    A day out at White Beach, Boracay Island. Reuters
  • Tourists watch the sun set, on sailboats in Boracay. Reuters
    Tourists watch the sun set, on sailboats in Boracay. Reuters
  • Boracay Island has one of the top beaches in the Philippines. AFP
    Boracay Island has one of the top beaches in the Philippines. AFP
  • El Nido in Palawan, Philippines. Photo: Explorar Hotels & Resorts
    El Nido in Palawan, Philippines. Photo: Explorar Hotels & Resorts
  • The Clark International Airport in Pampanga.
    The Clark International Airport in Pampanga.
  • Intramuros, the ­historic walled city.
    Intramuros, the ­historic walled city.
  • Waterfalls in Bislig, southern Philippines. Reuters
    Waterfalls in Bislig, southern Philippines. Reuters
  • The crater lake of Mount Pinatubo is one of the popular tourist attractions of Central Luzon. Photo: Emirates
    The crater lake of Mount Pinatubo is one of the popular tourist attractions of Central Luzon. Photo: Emirates
  • Tourists ride a paddle board at Cadlao Lagoon in El Nido, Palawan Islands. EPA
    Tourists ride a paddle board at Cadlao Lagoon in El Nido, Palawan Islands. EPA
FIGHT CARD

Welterweight Mostafa Radi (PAL) v Tohir Zhuraev (TJK)

Catchweight 75kg Leandro Martins (BRA) v Anas Siraj Mounir (MAR)

Flyweight Corinne Laframboise (CAN) v Manon Fiorot (FRA)

Featherweight Ahmed Al Darmaki (UAE) v Bogdan Kirilenko (UZB)

Lightweight Izzedine Al Derabani (JOR) v Atabek Abdimitalipov (KYG)

Featherweight Yousef Al Housani (UAE) v Mohamed Arsharq Ali (SLA)

Catchweight 69kg Jung Han-gook (KOR) v Elias Boudegzdame (ALG)

Catchweight 71kg Usman Nurmagomedov (RUS) v Jerry Kvarnstrom (FIN)

Featherweight title Lee Do-gyeom (KOR) v Alexandru Chitoran (ROU)

Lightweight title Bruno Machado (BRA) v Mike Santiago (USA)

Specs%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%20train%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E4.0-litre%20twin-turbo%20V8%20and%20synchronous%20electric%20motor%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EMax%20power%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E800hp%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EMax%20torque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E950Nm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EEight-speed%20auto%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBattery%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E25.7kWh%20lithium-ion%3Cbr%3E0-100km%2Fh%3A%203.4sec%3Cbr%3E0-200km%2Fh%3A%2011.4sec%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETop%20speed%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E312km%2Fh%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EMax%20electric-only%20range%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2060km%20(claimed)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Q3%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh1.2m%20(estimate)%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
WHAT%20IS%20THE%20LICENSING%20PROCESS%20FOR%20VARA%3F
%3Cp%3EVara%20will%20cater%20to%20three%20categories%20of%20companies%20in%20Dubai%20(except%20the%20DIFC)%3A%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECategory%20A%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Minimum%20viable%20product%20(MVP)%20applicants%20that%20are%20currently%20in%20the%20process%20of%20securing%20an%20MVP%20licence%3A%20This%20is%20a%20three-stage%20process%20starting%20with%20%5B1%5D%20a%20provisional%20permit%2C%20graduating%20to%20%5B2%5D%20preparatory%20licence%20and%20concluding%20with%20%5B3%5D%20operational%20licence.%20Applicants%20that%20are%20already%20in%20the%20MVP%20process%20will%20be%20advised%20by%20Vara%20to%20either%20continue%20within%20the%20MVP%20framework%20or%20be%20transitioned%20to%20the%20full%20market%20product%20licensing%20process.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECategory%20B%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Existing%20legacy%20virtual%20asset%20service%20providers%20prior%20to%20February%207%2C%202023%2C%20which%20are%20required%20to%20come%20under%20Vara%20supervision.%20All%20operating%20service%20proviers%20in%20Dubai%20(excluding%20the%20DIFC)%20fall%20under%20Vara%E2%80%99s%20supervision.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECategory%20C%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20New%20applicants%20seeking%20a%20Vara%20licence%20or%20existing%20applicants%20adding%20new%20activities.%20All%20applicants%20that%20do%20not%20fall%20under%20Category%20A%20or%20B%20can%20begin%20the%20application%20process%20through%20their%20current%20or%20prospective%20commercial%20licensor%20%E2%80%94%20the%20DET%20or%20Free%20Zone%20Authority%20%E2%80%94%20or%20directly%20through%20Vara%20in%20the%20instance%20that%20they%20have%20yet%20to%20determine%20the%20commercial%20operating%20zone%20in%20Dubai.%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Desert Warrior

Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley

Director: Rupert Wyatt

Rating: 3/5

MATCH INFO

Champions League quarter-final, first leg

Ajax v Juventus, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE)

Match on BeIN Sports

DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE

Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Emma Corrin

Director: Shawn Levy

Rating: 3/5

'Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore'

Rating: 3/5

Directed by: David Yates

Starring: Mads Mikkelson, Eddie Redmayne, Ezra Miller, Jude Law

UAE jiu-jitsu squad

Men: Hamad Nawad and Khalid Al Balushi (56kg), Omar Al Fadhli and Saeed Al Mazroui (62kg), Taleb Al Kirbi and Humaid Al Kaabi (69kg), Mohammed Al Qubaisi and Saud Al Hammadi (70kg), Khalfan Belhol and Mohammad Haitham Radhi (85kg), Faisal Al Ketbi and Zayed Al Kaabi (94kg)

Women: Wadima Al Yafei and Mahra Al Hanaei (49kg), Bashayer Al Matrooshi and Hessa Al Shamsi (62kg)

The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo

Power: 240hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 390Nm at 3,000rpm

Transmission: eight-speed auto

Price: from Dh122,745

On sale: now

What are the main cyber security threats?

Cyber crime - This includes fraud, impersonation, scams and deepfake technology, tactics that are increasingly targeting infrastructure and exploiting human vulnerabilities.
Cyber terrorism - Social media platforms are used to spread radical ideologies, misinformation and disinformation, often with the aim of disrupting critical infrastructure such as power grids.
Cyber warfare - Shaped by geopolitical tension, hostile actors seek to infiltrate and compromise national infrastructure, using one country’s systems as a springboard to launch attacks on others.

Our family matters legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

Dubai World Cup factbox

Most wins by a trainer: Godolphin’s Saeed bin Suroor(9)

Most wins by a jockey: Jerry Bailey(4)

Most wins by an owner: Godolphin(9)

Most wins by a horse: Godolphin’s Thunder Snow(2)

Day 2, Dubai Test: At a glance

Moment of the day Pakistan’s effort in the field had hints of shambles about it. The wheels were officially off when Wahab Riaz lost his run up and aborted the delivery four times in a row. He re-measured his run, jogged in for two practice goes. Then, when he was finally ready to go, he bailed out again. It was a total cringefest.

Stat of the day – 139.5 Yasir Shah has bowled 139.5 overs in three innings so far in this Test series. Judged by his returns, the workload has not withered him. He has 14 wickets so far, and became history’s first spinner to take five-wickets in an innings in five consecutive Tests. Not bad for someone whose fitness was in question before the series.

The verdict Stranger things have happened, but it is going to take something extraordinary for Pakistan to keep their undefeated record in Test series in the UAE in tact from this position. At least Shan Masood and Sami Aslam have made a positive start to the salvage effort.

Dengue%20fever%20symptoms
%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3EHigh%20fever%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EIntense%20pain%20behind%20your%20eyes%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ESevere%20headache%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EMuscle%20and%20joint%20pains%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ENausea%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EVomiting%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ESwollen%20glands%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ERash%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E%0A%3Cp%3EIf%20symptoms%20occur%2C%20they%20usually%20last%20for%20two-seven%20days%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Avatar: Fire and Ash

Director: James Cameron

Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana

Rating: 4.5/5

Updated: December 02, 2022, 4:10 PM