Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin announced that the Philippines is banning the entry of all foreigners to the country to stem the spread of coronavirus.
“We are stopping the issuance of visas from all posts abroad and here. This goes one imperative step forward: a total ban on incoming foreign visitors of all nationalities, no exceptions,” Locsin said on Twitter.
Outgoing foreign visitors, he added, “should be given all the help to get out,” adding it would be “idiotic to detain them.”
The Philippine government early this week announced a ban on incoming and outgoing travel and that all Luzon airports will be closed by March 20 as part of its enhanced community quarantine policy. However, the restriction was lifted a day after.
The Philippines has recorded 202 infections and 17 deaths across the country.
No further details or guidelines were provided, but Locsin said all previously issued Philippine visas to foreign nationals are canceled.
Visa issued to foreign spouses and children of Filipino nationals, on the other hand, remain valid, said Locsin.
