Philippines: Officials to allow entry for more foreign nationals from May 1 /update 63

Event

The Philippines will ease its entry ban for foreigners and allow more categories of foreign nationals to enter from May 1. The groups include holders of most visas, such as investor visas and visas issued by the state agencies like the Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority, and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority. However, visits for tourism purposes will likely 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. 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 remain in effect nationwide as of April 30. The central government has ordered Metro Manila and the surrounding provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal, as well as Santiago City and Abra, Ifugao, and Quirino provinces to implement the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) May 1-14. 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, are suspended. Nonessential mass gatherings are banned.

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

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

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

• Visayas: Tacloban City

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 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. Residents aged 15-65 may leave their residences, though stricter rules are in place in several areas. 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.

Local governments in several areas are implementing restrictions in addition to the controls mandated by the central government. Metro Manila will enforce a shortened 22:00-04:00 nightly curfew from May 1. Cebu City is enacting a 23:00-05:00 nightly curfew as of April 29. 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, pre-booking a quarantine facility for at least seven nights, and undergoing a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test on the sixth day upon arrival. The entry of foreign nationals is also subject to the maximum capacity of inbound passengers at the ports of entry. Metro Manila's Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) caps international arrivals at 1,500 people daily as of April 30.

Officials have banned all arrivals with travel history to India within the past two weeks through May 14. Passengers who have recently been to India and are already in the Philippines must quarantine at a designated facility for 14 days; quarantine is mandatory even if the traveler has a negative RT-PCR test result. The government may extend entry restrictions for travelers from other countries in the coming days if COVID-19 activity continues.

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)