February 14th?

[BrettGC]

There's been a bit of a buzz around the various forums, FB groups and indeed on the FB BI page - not by BI themselves in the case of the later - that there will be a major announcement on Valentine's day with regards to foreigners entering PI in the future.  Speculation is running rife with regards to what's going to happen.  I'm just spit-balling here, but my guess is one of the following:

1. Fully vaccinated will be allowed to enter as tourists under certain conditions with no pre-entry visa required, 
2. Fully vaccinated will be allowed to enter as tourists with a tourist visa issued from the PI mission in their country of origin (gravy train factor after the plethora of 9a's that have been processed recently and the revenue from the fees),  
3. They're going to maintain the status quo, or
4. They'll announce that no decision will be made until after the election.  

I think both 2 or  4 are the most likely and given the speculated announcement date, with 2 being probable.  But then  again, nothing may happen at all.  How many times was the world supposed to end in our lifetimes and those dates have passed without incident?

[Jollygoodfellow]

Theres already people jumping the gun thinking that soon all will end which it might but all it will take is a new variant discovered which they have already to frighten the IATF in putting everything on hold. Could even be they open up and a week or so later shut down if sudden increase in cases.

Too me it's a wait and see. People complaining on BI page and some are showing links to the opening on the 16th which is in a topic here somewhere but the ones posting the links think its a guaranteed thing but it does not mention the word tourist anywhere.

[Clermont]

7 hours ago, BrettGC said:

Fully vaccinated will be allowed to enter as tourists under certain conditions with no pre-entry visa required, 

Come on Brett, they haven't milked the tourist's enough yet. 

8 hours ago, BrettGC said:

They'll announce that no decision will be made until after the election.  

This is my bet, they have to leave a little wriggle room in case it's a surprise election win. 

[scott h]

5 hours ago, Jollygoodfellow said:

but all it will take is a new variant discovered which they have already to frighten the IATF in putting everything on hold.

Spot on,,,Already starting to hear blurbs on the news about cases of "stealth omnicron" and the IATF is reluctant to recommend lowering restrictions until "More Study" is taken 

[Dave Hounddriver]

3 hours ago, scott h said:

Already starting to hear blurbs on the news about cases of "stealth omnicron"

https://www.wfsb.com/news/video-expert-discusses-new-covid-variant-called-stealth-omicron/video_a5eda4cc-3db9-53ca-b9f1-e1933a024020.html

[Freebie]

They love to dangle hope, with positive upbeat press releases etc, then they equally love to shower those interested, with despair due to whatever scary story comes to mind at the time.  Been going for 2 years of the same MO.

[BrettGC]

I posted this as a conversation starter, it will be interesting to see, if anything, what happens.  

[Guy F.]

That would be great. I'd like to be able to celebrate Steak and BJ Day (March 14th) in the Philippines.

[hk blues]

16 hours ago, Guy F. said:

That would be great. I'd like to be able to celebrate Steak and BJ Day (March 14th) in the Philippines.

That's a new one on me!