COVID-19 Diving in Philippines: What you should know
Standing out with its prized position within the Coral Triangle, the Philippines is a home to some of the world’s best diving destinations, offering exceptional adventures for divers of all abilities. The tropical corner of Southeast Asia is packed with dramatic biodiversity, where rainbow-coloured reefs and unique wreck dives are all within easy reach.
Its 2021: Here’s what you need to know to dive safely in the Philippines!
Travelling
As of August 2021, entry to the Philippines is entirely restricted for foreign nationals, with the exception of those with long-term visas subjected to certain conditions.
Diving
Only dive establishments with PCSSD accreditation or DOT Certificate of Authority to Operate (CAO) are allowed to operate at 50% capacity. Prior online bookings are required.
Divers are required to
Bring their own set of scuba gear, equipment box and bring reusable plastic or water-resistant bags with drawstrings or sealed octopus holders. Divers may supply their own masks. Spitting on the mask or the use of saliva as a defogger is prohibited. A rinse tank with disinfectant solution will be provided. Wearing a mask is mandatory.
- Practice COVID safe measures, including washing hands frequently, maintaining social distance and avoiding gatherings of people. Dive boats must also be disinfected before and after use.
- Fill up an online Health Declaration Form and submit all the necessary documents required by the diving establishment.
- Present a negative RT-PCR test result not earlier than 48 hours before diving
Divers who just recovered from COVID-19
For divers who recovered from COVID-19, they must secure a medical clearance or certificate from a Dive or Hyperbaric Doctor indicating that he/she is physically fit and cleared to dive.
—
Psst… every Tuesday we post what you need to know about COVID-19 and diving!
Curious to know more about diving protocols in Asia? Look out for them in the upcoming ScubaDiver No.121 Issue 3/2021 coming out very soon! reserve your copy today by emailing marketing@asiangeo.com!