If you’ve been planning to go to Cebu for a while now but the onset of the pandemic got in the way, the good news is travel restrictions to the Queen City of the South have been eased. You can now visit one of its many pristine beaches and indulge in its great food (lechon is truly just the tip of the iceberg) — as long as you have the requirements ready.
The last time my husband and I were in Cebu, we were there for a work trip so we didn’t really get to enjoy what the city had to offer in terms of leisure. We did get to eat lots while there, and the city remains to be one of our favourites when it comes to food.
We’ve always wanted to go back — with our daughter with us now — but things just got pushed back a lot. (We mostly explore the North because that’s where my husband is from.) We’re looking at Cebu travel requirements now though to see if we can finally pay a visit.
Cebu travel requirements 2021
For those who are unvaccinated
Here’s what you need in order to enter and enjoy the city if you’re not vaccinated:
- a valid ID
- a negative RT-PCR test taken 72 hours from your scheduled arrival or a negative antigen test taken 48 hours from your scheduled arrival
- a Safe, Swift, and Smart Passages (S-Pass) registration
- a Travel Coordination Permit (TCP) or Travel Thru Permit (TTP) QR code (this will be based on the restrictions imposed by the place you plan to visit)
- and a letter of acceptance from the local government unit.
Cebu City is still under the 'Restricted' category for local travel, so you'll need to get a TCP. Register here.
If you previously tested positive for COVID-19, one of the Cebu travel requirements you also need to get and present is a Certificate of Recovery from an accredited isolation facility or the local government unit (LGU) of where you reside.
Here's a list of DOH-licensed COVID-19 testing laboratories.
For those who are vaccinated
Fully vaccinated? Here are the requirements you need to show:
- a valid ID
- official vaccination card with QR code (if there is no QR code, you need to present a vaccination certification provided by your LGU or the Department of Health [DOH]) along with your vaccination card.
You may request for a DOH-certified vaccination certificate here.
Once you have all that secured, make sure you also have your flights and hotel booking confirmed. Just make sure you have the dates right! Your flight should be within 72 hours of getting your RT-PCR test and not 72 hours after you got your results. Round-trip tickets need to be presented.
Also, see to it that you book a hotel or stay that’s accredited and certified by the Department of Tourism. DIY tours are also prohibited at this time, so make sure you book with an accredited agency to help you with your itinerary.
Check out the list of accredited businesses and individuals here.
