Philippines: Authorities continue to adjust COVID-19 travel and domestic restrictions as of Jan. 22 /update 56

Event

Authorities continue to adjust restrictions to stem the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) as of Jan. 22. Exemptions from a travel ban for foreign nationals with travel history within the last two weeks to 35 locations are now in place for employees of international organizations, such as the World Health Organization and the United Nations, as well as spouses and minor children of Filipino nationals. Previous exceptions include high-level state visits and people in an emergency situation. Foreigners who can enter the Philippines must adhere to health protocols. The ban is in place through Jan. 31 and affects Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Lebanon, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Portugal, Singapore, South Korea, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the US, the UK, and the UAE. Authorities may extend or further expand the restrictions at short notice.

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. Community quarantine restrictions of varying levels are also in effect nationwide.

Several areas are enacting the general community quarantine (GCQ), the third-strictest level of curbs, as of Jan. 22. Local officials in Laoag City are enforcing the GCQ until further notice, while several other localities are implementing GCQ through Jan. 31 due to the central government's orders. 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 Laoag and Santiago cities

• 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 modified general community quarantine (MGCQ), the least severe level of rules, 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, 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.

While the central government has not mandated any locality to enact the two most stringent levels of protocols, the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) and the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ), local officials in some areas are enacting or may appeal to implement these controls. Tuguegarao City is enacting the ECQ through Jan. 29. Under ECQ, residents must stay at home, except to obtain essential supplies and for emergencies. On-site work is suspended, except for essential services. Public transport and nonessential mass gatherings are banned. Local authorities in Cagayan Province's Baggao Municipality and Eastern Samar Province's Borongan City are enforcing MECQ through Jan. 30 and Jan. 31 respectively. MECQ rules typically allow key industries to work on-site with full capacity, while sectors like real estate and manufacturing of nonessential goods can operate with half their workforce. Several businesses, like tourism sites and entertainment venues, are closed. Most public transport is suspended.

Wearing both facemasks and face shields is compulsory when in public nationwide. People aged 10-65 can leave their homes in MGCQ areas, while residents aged 15-65 may leave their residences in other forms of community quarantine. 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. Domestic routes between several cities operate with health protocols, such as compulsory use of facemasks, in place.

Local governments in several areas are implementing restrictions in addition to the controls mandated by the central government. 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 their 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)