Philippines: Authorities continue to adjust COVID-19 restriction as of Jan. 1 /update 51

Event

Philippine authorities continue to adjust restrictions as of Jan. 1 to stem the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Officials have expanded travel bans and mandatory quarantine measures to travelers arriving from the US due to concerns over a new COVID-19 variant. Under new directives, all foreign nationals with travel history in the US within the past 14 days are banned from entering the Philippines through at least Jan. 15. Philippine citizens arriving from these locations must quarantine for 14 days at a government-run facility upon arrival. The same rules are in place for travelers coming from Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Lebanon, the Netherlands, Singapore, South Korea, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the UK. Authorities may extend or further expand the rules at short notice.

Additionally, the central government has eased controls in Iloilo City and Isabela Province from the general community quarantine (GCQ), the third-strictest level of curbs, to the modified general community quarantine (MGCQ), the least severe level of rules, through Jan. 31. The country remains under Code Red Sublevel 2 on its code alert system, indicating ongoing local virus transmission with greater numbers of cases than the government can address.

Several localities are still enacting the GCQ through Jan. 31. Under the GCQ, most workplaces and public places can operate provided they adhere to social distancing protocols. Select facilities, such as agricultural businesses, supermarkets, and utility providers, can operate on-site at full capacity. Several other types of establishments, including barbershops and salons, may open at reduced capacities. Public transport can operate at a reduced capacity with health protocols, such as maintaining social distancing of 1 meter (3 feet) between passengers. Nonessential mass gatherings remain capped at 10 people, while religious congregations can occur with attendees occupying up to 30 percent of the venue's capacity. GCQ is in effect in the following locations:

• Luzon: Metro Manila, Batangas Province, and Santiago City

• Mindanao: Davao del Norte and Lanao del Sur provinces and Davao and Iligan cities

• Visayas: Tacloban City

The central government allows all other localities to enact the MGCQ through Jan. 31. Companies can work on-site, though at-risk employees must telecommute. Officials are allowing establishments open to the public, such as food service businesses and gyms, to operate at 50-percent capacity. Public transport can operate with distancing controls in place. Mass gatherings may occur at half of the venue capacity. Universities can conduct on-site activities with health protocols, while other educational institutions remain closed with limited exceptions.

Wearing both facemasks and face shields is compulsory when in public nationwide. Facilities such as children's amusement parks and establishments primarily serving alcoholic drinks remain closed in all forms of community quarantine. People aged 15-65 can leave their homes, though stricter rules are in place in several areas, including Metro Manila, which only allows people aged 18-65 to go out. At-risk groups cannot work on-site nationwide, with limited exceptions. Provincial and municipal authorities and healthcare professionals may appeal to the central government to either tighten or ease measures. Airlines, including AirAsia (AK), Cebgo (DG), Cebu Pacific (5J), and Philippine Airlines (PR), are operating domestic routes between several cities with health protocols in place; passengers must wear facemasks.

Local governments in several areas are implementing restrictions in addition to the controls mandated by the central government. Cebu City requires people to present quarantine passes when outside homes. A 2300-0400 nightly curfew is also in place in Cebu City. Sulu Province plans to impose entry restrictions Jan. 4-17. Local officials may enforce short-term movement restrictions, such as stay-home orders with limited exemptions, to facilitate the mass testing of residents.

Travel Restrictions
Most foreign nationals remain banned from entering the country. Exemptions are in place for several groups of foreigners, including those with investor visas, visas issued by the state agencies Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority and Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, as well as foreign nationals with long-term visas, among others. Inbound foreign nationals must secure a quarantine facility and a COVID-19 testing provider before the trip and quarantine for 14 days upon arrival. Other visas, applications, and visa-free privileges remain suspended.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm all travel arrangements. Consider delaying traveling if experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, as they may prompt increased scrutiny and delays. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance. Maintain contact with your diplomatic representation. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions. Reconsider and reconfirm nonemergency health appointments. Plan for queues and delays at available shopping centers.

Emphasize basic health precautions, especially frequent handwashing with soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are unavailable. Practice good coughing/sneezing etiquette (i.e., covering coughs and sneezes with disposable tissue, maintaining distance from others, and washing hands). There is no evidence that the influenza vaccine, antibiotics, or antiviral medications will prevent this disease, highlighting the importance of diligent basic health precautions.

Resources

Presidential Communications Operations Office
State COVID-19 Portal
World Health Organization (WHO)