MANILA (REUTERS, PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - The Philippines' coronavirus task force has lifted a ban on overseas travel for Filipino tourists, the presidential office said on Friday (Oct 16).

Non-essential overseas travel can resume, starting Oct 21, ending a restriction in effect since July and potentially increasing customers for Philippine carriers that have suffered amid the pandemic.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said Filipinos intending to leave the country must have negative antigen test results, confirmed plane tickets, and health and travel insurance.

"They may be allowed to leave the country subject to the submission of confirmed roundtrip tickets and adequate travel and health insurance for those travelling with tourist visas, execution of an immigration declaration acknowledging the risks involved in travelling and a negative antigen (test) result taken within 24 hours before departure, subject to the Department of Health (DOH) guidelines," Mr Roque said in a statement.