THE BUREAU of Immigration (BI) clarified that the travel restrictions set in place during the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) shall remain during its extension.
BI Commissioner Jaime Morente made the clarification following the announcement of President Rodrigo Duterte to extend the ECQ in several “high risk” areas until May 15, 2020.
Other areas not mentioned in the President’s announcement, however, shall be under General Community Quarantine (GCQ).
Morente stated that travel restrictions remain, and the entry of foreign nationals is still highly restricted. Only Filipinos, their foreign spouse and children, accredited foreign government and international organization officials, and foreign airline crew shall remain eligible to enter the Philippines.
On the other hand, only foreign nationals, permanent residents and student visa holders abroad, and Overseas Filipino Workers, shall be allowed to exit the country.
It can be recalled that the BI has previously scaled down its operations and downsize its workforce, after several airlines canceled operations and upon implementation of travel restrictions due to the Covid-19 outbreak.
“We are on standby to implement any changes in travel restrictions, as deemed necessary by the President upon recommendation by the IATF,” said Morente. “This is a sacrifice we must all take in order to ensure that we flatten the curve and prevent the further spread of this virus,” he added.
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