(INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/LYN RILLON)
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines has revised its travel restrictions for inbound passengers and allowed the entry of all Filipino citizens, the National Task Force (NTF) Against COVID-19 said Friday.
“All Filipino citizens, whether a returning Overseas Filipino or overseas Filipino worker shall be allowed to return to the Philippines,“ a memorandum circular signed by O Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, who chairs the NTF, stated.
The government also revised the effectivity of the travel restriction on inbound foreign nationals that would start at 12:01 a.m. on March 22 and end on 11:59 p.m. on April 21.
The following are exempted from the travel restriction:
- Diplomats and members of international organizations and their dependents provided they hold a valid 9(e) visa or 47(a)(2) visa
- Foreign nationals involved in medical repatriation duty endorsed by the Department of Foreign Affairs – Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, provided that they have a valid visa at the time of entry
- Foreign seafarers under the “Green Lanes” program for crew change, provided that they hold a 9(c) crew list visa at the time of entry
- Foreign spouses and children of Filipino citizens traveling with them provided they have valid visas, provided that they have a valid visa at the time of entry
- Emergency, humanitarian and other analogous cases approved by the chairperson of the NTF COVID-19 or his duly authorized representative
Earlier, the travel restriction only exempted OFWs. It was also supposed to be implemented from March 20 to April 19.