Philippines: Authorities to extend COVID-19 alert level measures to all other areas in phases from Nov. 12 /update 80

Event

The Philippines will extend COVID-19 alert level measures to all other areas in phases from Nov. 12. Officials currently employ a multi-tier alert level system for applying COVID-19-related restrictions in selected areas, consisting of alert levels 1 through 5 in order of increasingly strict controls.

The alert level measures are currently in place in phase 1 locations which include Metro Manila, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Northern Mindanao, and Davao Region. The system will be extended to phase 2 locations including Ilocos Region, Eastern Visayas, and Soccsksargen from Nov. 12; phase 3 locations like Agayan Valley, Bicol, and Zamboanga regions from Nov. 17; and phase 4 locations such as the Caraga, Cordillera, Mimaropa administrative regions, and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) from Nov. 22. The alert levels in phase 1 localities Nov. 1-14 are as follows:

• Level 4: The locations include Aurora, Bacolod City, Negros Oriental, and Davao Occidental. Residents aged below 18 or above 65 years old, as well as pregnant and immunocompromised people, must remain at home in all areas, though some exemptions are in place. Meetings, incentives, conventions, and exhibitions (MICE), as well as dine-in services, social gatherings, tourist attractions, and selected entertainment venues, may take place for fully vaccinated individuals at 10 and 30-percent capacity at indoor and outdoor locations respectively. Businesses must have the Safety Seal certification.

• Level 3: The locations include Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, Iloilo City, Siquijor, Lanao del Norte, Davao City, and Davao del Norte. Baguio City will also be under level 3 measures but is classified as an area for special monitoring. MICE, as well as dine-in services, social gatherings, tourist attractions, and selected entertainment venues, may take place for fully vaccinated individuals at 30 and 50-percent capacity at indoor and outdoor locations respectively. Businesses must have the Safety Seal certification.

• Level 2: The locations include Angeles City, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Olongapo City, Pampanga, Tarlac, Batangas, Quezon province, Lucena City, Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo, Negros Occidental, Bohol, Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City, Cebu Province, Bukidnon, Cagayan de Oro City, Camiguin, Iligan City, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Davao de Oro, Davao del Sur, and Davao Oriental. More businesses, recreational venues, tourist attractions, and social gatherings may open or take place at 50 and 70-percent capacity in indoor and outdoor venues for fully vaccinated individuals.

Further details on the businesses and social activities that may take place at the respective alert levels can be found by clicking here. Facemasks are mandatory in public. Authorities may impose localized lockdowns in local government units (LGU) with high COVID-19 activity at short notice. Restrictions in these areas typically include suspending entry and exit from the localities and banning nonessential activities. Local jurisdictions may implement controls beyond those mandated by the central government.

International Travel Restrictions
Foreign nationals allowed to enter the Philippines are subject to specific requirements, including having valid visas, pre-booking a quarantine facility, and undergoing PCR tests. Visits for tourism purposes remain suspended.

Fully vaccinated international travelers from government-designated "green" countries are exempt from quarantine but must present a negative RT-PCR test taken within 72 hours before departure and monitor their health for 14 days after arrival. The green list includes American Samoa, Bhutan, Chad, China, Comoros, Cote d’Ivoire, Falkland Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Malawi, Mali, Marshall Islands, Montserrat, Morocco, Namibia, Niger, Northern Mariana Islands, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Paraguay, Rwanda, Saint Barthelemy, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sint Eustatius, South Africa, Sudan, Taiwan, Togo, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Fully vaccinated travelers from "yellow" countries must quarantine at designated facilities until the release of a negative RT-PCR test result on day five and subsequently quarantine at a place of residence until day 10. Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated travelers from “yellow” countries must quarantine at designated facilities until the release of a negative RT-PCR test on day seven and must quarantine at home until day 14. Fully vaccinated and unvaccinated foreign nationals must book accommodation for at least six and eight days, respectively. Authorities prohibit entry for arrivals who have visited "red countries" in the previous 14 days, but transiting passengers and returning Filipinos are exempt; the affected countries include Faroe Islands and the Netherlands. All other localities are designated as "yellow countries."

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)