Philippines: Authorities extends COVID-19 restrictions of varying levels nationwide through at least July 15 /update 71

Event

Authorities have extended community quarantine restrictions of varying levels nationwide through at least July 15 due to COVID-19 concerns. 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.

The central government has ordered multiple locations to enforce the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ), the second-tightest set of rules, July 1-15. The areas include Apayao, Bataan, Cagayan, Davao de Oro, Davao Occidental, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental, Dinagat Islands, Iloilo, Negros Oriental, Surigao del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte, and Zamboanga del Sur provinces and Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Davao, Iloilo, Lucena, Naga, and Puerto Princesa cities. Additionally, local officials in some localities are enforcing MECQ due to high COVID-19 activity. The areas include Gingoog City, where the rules are in effect through June 30. 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. Public transport can operate with reduced capacities. Several businesses, like tourism sites and entertainment venues, and nonessential mass gatherings remain suspended.

Authorities have mandated multiple areas to enforce the general community quarantine (GCQ), which is less stringent than MECQ, with varying timelines. Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Aklan, Antique, Batangas, Capiz, Cotabato, Guimaras, Ifugao, Isabela, Negros Occidental, Nueva Vizcaya, Quezon, Quirino, Sarangani, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Surigao del Norte, and Zamboanga Sibugay provinces and Bacolod, Baguio, Cotabato, General Santos, Iligan, Santiago, and Zamboanga are to implement GCQ rules July 1-31. 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 reduced capacities and health protocols. Nonessential mass gatherings remain suspended. Dining at indoor and outdoor food establishments can occur at up to 50 and 75 percent of the venue's capacity. Additionally, Metro Manila and Bulacan, and Rizal provinces will enforce GCQ with some restrictions, while Cavite and Laguna provinces will implement the more stringent GCQ with heightened restrictions, under which several facilities operate under tighter limits as compared to typical GCQ protocols. Personal care services and outdoor tourism sites can operate at 50 and 30 percent of the capacity in areas enforcing GCQ with some restrictions and heightened restrictions, respectively, while indoor dining-in venues can open at 20 and 40 percent of the capacity respectively.

The central government continues to allow all other localities to enact the modified general community quarantine (MGCQ), the least severe level of rules, July 1-31. Companies can work on-site. Officials are allowing establishments that are open to the public to operate at 50-percent capacity. Public transport can operate with distancing controls. Mass gatherings can occur at half of the venue's capacity.

Authorities may enforce localized enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), the tightest set of rules, in areas with high COVID-19 activity. ECQ rules include requiring residents to stay at home, except to work in essential industries, obtain essential supplies, and seek assistance in an emergency, among others. Wearing both facemasks and face shields is compulsory in public spaces nationwide. Residents aged 15-65 may leave their homes, though stricter rules are in place in several areas. At-risk groups cannot work on-site nationwide, with limited exceptions. Domestic routes between several cities operate with protocols, such as compulsory use of facemasks.

Additional rules by local governments on top of controls mandated by the central government are widespread nationwide. Metro Manila and Cebu City are enforcing 00:00-04:00 and 23:00-05:00 nightly curfews, respectively. Officials may enforce short-term localized movement restrictions, such as stay-home orders, to facilitate mass testing of residents.

Travel Restrictions
Foreign nationals who can enter the Philippines are subject to requirements, such as having valid visas; quarantine for 10 days at a centralized facility upon arrival and another four days at their residence; pre-booking a quarantine facility; and undergoing PCR tests. Authorities announced that international arrivals coming from low-risk countries and have received full vaccinations overseas could undergo a shortened quarantine period of seven days at designated facilities from July 1. Officials said the government would announce the list of low-risk countries in the coming days. The shortened quarantine policy is currently in place for international entrants who had been fully vaccinated in the Philippines. The travelers must carry evidence of vaccination.

Several types of foreign nationals may enter the Philippines. The groups include holders of most visas, such as investor visas and visas issued by state agencies like the Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority; 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. However, visits for tourism purposes remain suspended. Officials have extended the entry ban for all individuals with travel history in the past two weeks to Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, or the UAE through July 15 due to continued concerns about COVID-19 variants.

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)