GOVPH

PUBLIC ADVISORY NO. 14-2021- NATIONAL TASK FORCE (NTF) CLARIFICATION ON THE TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF TRAVEL INTO THE PHILIPPINES

The Philippine Embassy informs the public that further to NTF Memorandum Circular No. 5, series of 2021, the National Task Force has subsequently issued Memorandum Circular No. 6, series of 2021, the salient provisions of which are cited hereunder:

“1. All Filipino citizens whether a returning Overseas Filipinos or Overseas    Filipino Workers shall be allowed to return to the Philippines;

“2. Effective 0001H of 22 March 2021 to 2359H of 21 April 2021, the entry of foreign nationals shall be temporarily suspended, except for the following:

“Diplomats and members of international organizations, and their dependents provided they hold a valid 9(e) visa or 47(a)(2) visa, as the case may be, at the time of entry,

“Foreign nationals involved in medical repatriation duly endorsed by the Department of Foreign Affairs – Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs (DFA-OUMWA) and Overseas Filipino Workers Administration (OWWA), 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 travelling with them provided they have valid visas at the time of entry, and

“Emergency, humanitarian, and other analogous cases approved by the Chairperson of the NTF-COVID-19 or his duly authorized representative, provided the foreign nationals have a valid visas at the time of entry.”

“The foregoing is without prejudice to immigration laws, rules and regulations such that the Commissioner for Immigration shall have the exclusive prerogative to decide on the waiver or recall of exclusion orders for all foreign nationals authorized entry under relevant IATF resolutions, subject to the regular reporting to the IATF secretariat at the end of each calendar month.

“During the period 0001H of 22 March 2021 to 2359H of 21 April 2021, the travel of Filipinos and exempted foreign nationals shall be subject to the arrival quota set by the Philippine Department of Transportation (DOTr).

“Memorandum Circular No. 06 supersedes Memorandum Circular No. 5, s. 2021. All issuances issued by the NTF-COVID-19 which are inconsistent with this Memorandum Circular are hereby deemed repealed or modified accordingly.’’

As stated, Filipino citizens, whether a returning Overseas Filipino (OF) or Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW), shall be allowed to return to the Philippines.

The travel restriction for foreign nationals effective 0001H of 22 March 2021 to 2359H of 21 April 2021 shall be applied at all Philippine Ports nationwide. However, the cap on the daily inbound international arrivals, earlier determined by NTF-COVID—19, shall only cover the NAIA terminals in Manila.

Medical repatriation and repatriation of distressed overseas Filipino

It is the concerned Philippine authorities, notably the Department of Health and the Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila, inter alia, that will decide on the request for exemption on medical repatriation and repatriation of distressed overseas Filipinos.

Below are the specific documentary requirements of medical repatriation and repatriation of distressed OFs, which should be submitted to the Embassy at least five working (5) days prior to entry into the Philippines:

Returning medical repatriate and his/her escort/s are instructed to comply with the following:

• Send directly the following documents to the Department of Health – One Hospital Command Center (DOF-OHCC); and

• Letter of Intent;
• Acceptance Letter (from the LGU or receiving hospital); and
• Supporting Medical Abstract and Documents/Records;

• The email addresses of the DOH-OHCC are as follows:

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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• Accomplish this Google Form Sheet:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScPXgoSqJfder1wCp_nPLWb2AeX2T95K_kaJcbwSRTMPzzUKw/viewform?gxids=7628

• Kindly note that it is the Department of Health which will issue the necessary

• Submission of complete documentary requirements is imperative.

Below are copies of Memorandum Circular No. 6, s. 2021, UMRAF, and the updated RIF for reference.

Please be guided accordingly.

IATF Memorandum Circular No. 6, s. 2021

https://bernepe.dfa.gov.ph/images/Repatriation_Investigation_Form_RIF.pdf

https://bernepe.dfa.gov.ph/images/Unified_Medical_Repatriation_Assistance_Form.pdf

PA-14-2021- NATIONAL TASK FORCE (NTF) CLARIFICATION ON THE TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF TRAVEL INTO THE PHILIPPINES

PUBLIC ADVISORY-08-2021- CONSOLIDATED AND UPDATED EXCEPTIONS FROM THE TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF VISA ISSUANCE AND OF VISA FREE TRAVEL PRIVILEGES & NEW PROTOCOLS FOR ENTRY OF EXCEPTED/EXEMPTED FOREIGN NATIONALS STARTING 01 FEBRUARY 2021

The Philippine Embassy informs the public that with the expiration of the travel restrictions on Covid-19 new variants on 31 January 2021, the new protocols for the entry of foreign nationals to the Philippines beginning 01 February 2021 shall be as follows:

A. As a general rule, foreign nationals are still prohibited from entering the Philippines, except the following (“Excepted Foreign Nationals”), without need of an entry exemption from the Department:

1. Diplomats and members of international organizations and their dependents; provided, they have a valid 9(e) visa at the time of entry (IATF Resolution No. 60, Series of 2020 & FSC No. 36-2020);

2. Foreign seafarers; provided, they have a valid 9(c) visa at the time of entry (IATF Resolution No. 47, Series of 2020 & FSC No. 34-2020 & FSC No. 37-2020);

3. Holders of 13 series visa under the Immigration Act (Commonwealth Act [CA] 613), as amended, which include:

(a) Temporary Resident Visa (based on CA 613, Section 13a [marriage to Filipino]);

(b) Temporary Resident Visa (based on MO ADD -01-038/ ADD-02-015 [Indian nationals]);

(c) MCL-07-021 Permanent Resident Visa (based on CA 613, Section 13a [Chinese nationals married to Filipino citizens]); and

(d) Native Born Visa (based on CA 613, Section 13c [for foreigners born to foreign   parent/s with permanent resident status in the Philippines]) (IATF Resolution No. 56, Series of 2020);

4. Holders of Republic Act 7919 visas (granted through Social Integration Program) (IATF Resolution No. 56, Series of 2020);

5. Holders of Executive Order 324 visas (IATF Resolution No. 56, Series of 2020);

6. Foreign spouses of Filipino nationals; provided that the Filipino spouse is in the Philippines and they have valid visas at the time of entry (IATF Resolution No. 60, Series of 2020 & FSC No. 36-2020);

7. Foreign minor children, and foreign children with special needs regardless of age, of Filipino nationals; provided the Filipino parent is in the Philippines and they have valid visas at the time of entry (IATF Resolution No. 60, Series of 2020 & FSC No. 36-2020);

8. Foreign parents of minor Filipino children and of Filipino children with special needs regardless of age; provided, the said Filipino minor or child/children is in the Philippines and they have valid visas at the time of entry (IATF Resolution No. 60, Series of 2020 & FSC No. 36-2020);

9. Holders of Special visas issued by the Bureau of Immigration (BI) under Republic Act 8756 (IATF Resolution No. 80, Series of 2020);

10. Holders of 47(a)(2) visas issued by the DOJ (IATF Resolution No. 80, Series of 2020);

11. Holders of 9(d) visas issued by the BI (IATF Resolution No. 84, Series of 2020);

12. Holders of visas issued by the Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan, Cagayan Economic Zone Authority, and Clark Development Corporation (IATF Resolution No. 84, Series of 2020);

13. Holders of Special Investor’s Resident Visa (SIRV) issued under EO 226 (Omnibus Investment    Code, as amended) but not under EO 63 (IATF Resolution No. 8480, Series of 2020);

14. Dual Filipino citizens carrying foreign passports; provided they possess and present a Recognition Certificate or a Certificate of Citizenship Retention and Reacquisition under RA9225 (IATF Resolution No. 84, Series of 2020);

15. Filipino citizen’s foreign spouses and children, regardless of age, from non-visa required countries, who are travelling with them, and avails of visa-free entry privileges under R.A. No.6768 (Act Instituting the Balikbayan Program) (IATF Resolution No. 85, Series of 2020);

16. Former Filipino citizens, including their foreign spouses and children, from non-visa required countries, regardless of age, who are travelling with them, and avails of visa-free entry privileges under R.A. No.6768  (Act Instituting the Balikbayan Program) (IATF Resolution No. 85, Series of 2020); and

17. Holders of 9(g) visas who departed the Philippines on or after 17 December 2020; provided they have a valid visa at the time of entry (IATF Resolution No. 85, Series of 2020);

B. All foreign nationals permitted entry into the Philippines shall be required:

1. To secure and present a pre-booked accommodation for at least seven (7) nights in a DOT-accredited quarantine hotel/facility, and

2. To undergo RTPCRCOVID-19 testing at their respective quarantine hotel/facility on the sixth (6th) day from date of arrival in the Philippines (IATF Resolution No. 97, Series of 2020), and other applicable quarantine and isolation protocols as prescribed by the Department of Health.

LIST OF ACCREDITED QUARANTINE FACILITY:

A list of hotels in the National Capital Region for use as quarantine facilities of arriving passengers may be viewed from the following link:

https://bernepe.dfa.gov.ph/images/PA-39-2020-_ON_THE_LIST_OF_HOTELS_IN_THE_NATIONAL_CAPITAL_REGION_NCR_FOR_USE_AS_QUARANTINE_FACILITIES_OF_ARRIVING_PASSENGERS.pdf

INFORMATION ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ELECTRONIC CASE (e-CIF) INVESTIGATION FORM SYSTEM

Information on the implementation of a QR Code System in accomplishing the Case Investigation Form (e-CIF) for the RT-PCR Testing for COVID-19 at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport may be viewed at the following link:

https://bernepe.dfa.gov.ph/advisories/1054-public-advisory-no-22-2020-on-the-implementation-of-a-qr-code-system-in-accomplishing-the-case-investigation-form-cif-for-the-rt-pcr-testing-for-covid-19-at-the-ninoy-aquino-international-airport

The following are some additional important weblinks for the reference of the concerned public:

• Bureau of Immigration: http://www.immigration.gov.ph/#advisory
• Bureau of Quarantine, Department of Health: https://quarantine.doh.gov.ph/
• Red Cross E-CIF: https://e-cif.redcross.org.ph/
• COVID-19 Laging Handa: https://covid19.gov.ph/
• Department of Foreign Affairs (Advisories on COVID- 19): https://dfa.gov.ph/covid-19-advisories

The Embassy again reminds travellers to always check ahead of travel dates with their airlines before their scheduled departure date or before booking a ticket as information published could change at any time.

Please be guided accordingly.

PUBLIC ADVISORY NO. 02-2021-EXEMPTIONS FROM TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS RELATIVE TO THE SARS-CoV-2 VARIANT DETECTED IN THE UNITED KINGDOM

07 January 2021 – Further to Public Advisory No. 43-2020 and Public Advisory No. 01-2021 on the inbound travel from countries with new variant of COVID-19 and pursuant to the Resolution no. 92 of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) dated 05 January 2021, the concerned public is informed that only the following foreign nationals coming from, or with travel history within the last 14 days prior to arrival in the Philippines in countries/jurisdictions covered by travel restrictions for the COVID-19 variant, will be allowed entry into the Philippines, with immediate effect:

• Diplomats and representatives of international organizations accredited to the Republic of the Philippines and their qualified dependents with valid and subsisting 9(e) visas, who shall likewise be exempted from quarantine protocols provided that:

• They undergo Reverse Transcription – Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) testing upon arrival at the airport;
• Submit/present a duly executed Undertaking (Annex C) to the Department of Health-Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ) personnel at the port of entry; and
• Observe strict 14-day self-quarantine at their declared accommodation or quarters;

• Foreign dignitaries who shall observe existing testing and quarantine protocols upon arrival in the Philippines; and

• Foreign nationals travelling to the Philippines for medical and emergency cases, including their foreign medical escorts, if any.

Please note that Item E of the IATF Res. No. 92 states that “Cognizant of the current limited knowledge as to the effect of available vaccines on the transmissibility of COVID-19, any individual arriving in the Philippines who may have received vaccination for COVID-19 in other countries/jurisdictions shall still be required to observe the mandatory testing and quarantine protocols.”

The concerned public is also advised to refer to the Advisory of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) on the Revised Guidelines as per IATF Res. no. 92 dated 06 January 2021, which can be viewed from:

https://www.immigration.gov.ph/images/Advisory/2021/01_Jan/2021Jan07_advisory.pdf.

Foreign nationals not covered by the above exemptions shall still not be permitted entry into the Philippines, notwithstanding any previous IATF resolutions or exemptions.

For a copy of IATF Resolution No. 92, please visit:

https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/downloads/2020/12dec/20210105-IATF-Resolution-no-92.pdf .

All overseas Filipinos traveling to the Philippines during this period are again reminded of the limited quarantine facilities in place and are thus strongly urged to reconsider travel plans to the Philippines for the duration of the travel restrictions.

Those entering the Philippines from the affected countries and jurisdiction, including Switzerland, are also reminded that they will be required to undergo and complete a strict mandatory 14-day stringent quarantine at a DOH-approved facility, regardless of negative RT-PCR result. The list of facilities suitable for stringent quarantine may be accessed at the following link: https://bernepe.dfa.gov.ph/images/Facilities_Suitable_for_Stringent_Quarantine.pdf.  

Embassy calls on the public to carefully reconsider their travel plans, including postponing their trips until after the end of the travel restrictions to avoid personal inconvenience and possible additional expenses as well as help prevent the incidence of the new COVID-19 variant in the country.

The Embassy again reminds travellers to always check ahead of travel dates with their airlines before their scheduled departure date or before booking a ticket as information published could change at any time.

Facebook Post: https://www.facebook.com/PHinSwitzerland/posts/3479932332232983