Philippines: Authorities extend COVID-19 restrictions of varying levels nationwide as of July 15 /update 72

Event

Authorities have extended community quarantine restrictions of varying levels nationwide as of 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, from July 16 through at least July 22. Officials are implementing MECQ measures in Iloilo City and Iloilo province until July 22; MECQ restrictions will also be in effect July 16-31 in Bataan, Butuan City, Cagayan de Oro, Davao Occidental, Davao de Oro, Davao de Sur, and Davao del Norte. 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, through at least July 22. Officials will enforce GCQ with heightened restrictions in Aklan, Bacolod City, Antique, and Capiz July 16-22. The enhanced GCQ measures will also be in effect in Cagayan, Davao City, Laguna, Lucena City, Naga City, Negros Oriental, and Zamboanga del Sur July 16-31. Areas under GCQ with heightened restrictions implement tightened commercial measures. Areas implementing standard GCQ measures are Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Apayao, Baguio City, Batangas, Bulacan, Cavite, Cotabato, Cotabato City, Davao Oriental, Dinagat Islands, General Santos City, Guimaras, Isabela, Metro Manila, Negros Occidental, Nueva Vizcaya, Puerto Princesa City, Quirino, Quezon, Rizal, Santiago City, Sarangani, Sultan Kudarat, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Zamboanga City, and Zamboangoa Sibugay. 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.

The central government allows all other localities to enact the modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) through July 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 31 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)