Philippines: Authorities tighten restrictions in Apayao, Benguet, and Cagayan provinces through May 23 /update 66

Event

The Philippines has tightened rules and implemented the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) in Apayao, Benguet, and Cagayan provinces in the Luzon region through May 23 due to high COVID-19 activity in those areas. 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, and community quarantine restrictions of varying levels remain in effect nationwide as of May 10.

The central government has also ordered several other localities to implement MECQ as of May 10. The areas, including Metro Manila and the surrounding provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal; Santiago, Tuguegarao, and Zamboanga cities; and Abra, Ifugao, and Quirino provinces, are enforcing MECQ through May 14. Under MECQ, key industries can work on-site with full capacity, while sectors like real estate and manufacturing of nonessential goods can operate with half their workforce. Some public transport vehicles can still operate for commuters who are allowed to leave their homes. Several businesses, like tourism sites and entertainment venues, have been instructed to suspend their operations. Nonessential mass gatherings are banned.

Additional localities continue to enforce the general community quarantine (GCQ), the third-strictest level of curbs, through May 31. Under 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. Public transport can operate at a reduced capacity with health protocols in place, such as maintaining social distancing of 1 meter (3 feet) between passengers. Nonessential mass gatherings are banned, while religious services can take place, with attendees occupying up to 50 percent of the venue's capacity. The central government has ordered GCQ rules through May 31 in the following localities:

• Luzon: Baguio and Puerto Princesa cities; Batangas, Isabela, Kalinga, Mountain, Nueva Vizcaya, and Quezon provinces

• Mindanao: Lanao del Sur Province and Davao and Iligan cities

The central government will continue to allow all other localities to enact the modified general community quarantine (MGCQ), the least severe level of rules, through May 31. Companies can work on-site, though at-risk employees must telecommute. Officials are allowing establishments that are 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 can occur with half of the venue's 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 across the country in public spaces. Residents aged 15-65 may leave their residences, though stricter rules are in place in several areas. At-risk groups cannot work on-site in the Philippines, 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.

Additional restrictions by local governments on top of the controls mandated by the central government are widespread across the Philippines. Metro Manila is enforcing a 22:00-04:00 nightly curfew. Cebu City is enacting a 23:00-05:00 nightly curfew. 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
Foreign nationals who can enter the Philippines remain subject to certain requirements, such as having valid visas; undergo quarantine at centralized facilities for 10 days upon arrival, before quarantining for four more days at their residence; pre-booking a quarantine facility; and undergoing reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests. The number of foreign nationals allowed to arrive in the Philippines via each port of entry is limited; foreign arrivals at Metro Manila's Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) are capped at 1,500 persons daily.

Several classes of foreign nationals may enter the Philippines. The groups include holders of most visas, such as investor visas and visas issued by state agencies, such as the Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority. However, visits for tourism purposes remain suspended. Diplomats and members of international organizations and their dependents who hold relevant visas, foreign spouses and children of Filipino citizens who are traveling with the Filipino nationals, and people in emergency or humanitarian situations can continue traveling to the Philippines.

Officials continue to ban the entry of all individuals with travel history in the past two weeks to Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Nepal, or Sri Lanka through 23:59 May 14 due to concerns about COVID-19 variants. Individuals who are already in the Philippines and were in Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal, or Sri Lanka within the last two weeks are subject to a 14-day quarantine period at designated institutions. The government may extend or expand entry restrictions to travelers arriving from other countries in the coming days.

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.

Resources

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