Immigration update: Philippines | COVID-19: Travel restrictions
Immigration update: Philippines | Expansion of temporary travel restrictions and partial lifting of ban on certain passengers
On 13 March 2020, the Bureau of Immigration has issued an expansion of the travel restrictions in line with the directive of President Rodrigo Duterte and the recommendation from the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease (IAFT-IED).
Who will be affected?
Passengers coming from Iran and Italy within the last 14 day (transiting passengers are also included)
Who will be exempted?
• Filipino citizens
• Foreign spouse and children of a Filipino citizen
• Holders of Permanent Resident Visas
• Members of the Diplomatic Corps
Background
The Philippine government has imposed travel restrictions for travellers coming from China, its Special Administration Regions (Hong Kong and Macau), and North Gyeongsang Province (including Daegu City and Cheongdo County) of South Korea. With the rapid increase of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in countries such as Iran and Italy, the Philippine government has decided to restrict travellers from these countries.
The Bureau of Immigration has announced the lifting of travel restrictions for returning Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) to China except those who will be deployed in Hubei Province provided that the returning OFWs will execute a declaration stating that they understand and acknowledge the risks involved.
Impact
Passengers, including transiting passengers, from Iran and Italy in the last 14 days shall be required to present a medical certificate certifying that they are COVID-19 negative, which must be issued by the authorized medical practitioners from the country of origin. The medical certificate shall be issued within the last 48 hours prior to arrival to the Philippines. Passengers who fail to present the required medical certificate shall be denied entry.
For those passengers who can present a medical certificate shall be endorsed to the Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ) for a 14-day mandatory quarantine.
Those who are exempted shall also be endorsed to the BOQ for a 14-day mandatory quarantine upon arrival to the Philippines.
Implementation
12 midnight of 16 March 2020
How Santa Fe can assist?
Santa Fe Relocation will monitor the situation closely and provide updated information once available.
Should you have any questions, please contact the following:
Ma. Emmariza Ola
Immigration Manager – Philippines
Santa Fe Relocation
Philippines
Tel.: (632) 8795 2438
Email: Emmariza.Ola@santaferelo.com
Robert Day
Group Head of Immigration Operations
Santa Fe Relocation
London, UK
Tel: +44 7990 021125
Email: Robert.Day@santaferelo.com
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