The Inter Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) has announced that OFWs and balikbayans can now leave the Philippines for the duration of the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon.
Cabinet Secretary and IATF-EID Spokesperson Karlo Nograles shared in a press briefing that both OFWs and balikbayans just need to show proof of their international travel itinerary to be allowed clearance to travel.
“OFWs, balikbayans, and foreign nationals leaving for abroad through any of the ports in Luzon, shall be allowed to leave the PH at any time for the duration of the enhanced community quarantine,” said Nograles.
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The Cabinet Secretary also outlined the following guidelines for OFWs leaving the Philippines towards their respective destinations abroad:
– Provided that proof of international travel itnerary scheduled within 24 hours must be presented;
– Provided further that non-essential travel by Filipinos from any port of Luzon shall be suspended;
– Provided further that this provision shall not be interpreted to allow outbound travel by Filipinos to jurisdictions where travel restrictions are in place;
– Provided further that departing passengers may only be accompanied by not more than one person when travelling to any international port;
– Provided further that OWWA may provide transportation services to OFWs intending to leave for abroad;
– Provided finally that all of foregoing shall be subject to joint guidelines to be issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Department of Labor and Employment, and the Department of Tourism.
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President Rodrigo Duterte implemented the enhanced community quarantine across Luzon on March 17 as the country’s response to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus disease or COVID-19. Among the guidelines for Filipinos include strict home quarantine in all households, suspension of transportation, regulation of provision of food and essential health services, and heightened presence of uniformed personnel to enforce quarantine procedures.
Balikbayans, Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), and foreigners
can leave the country from any port anytime by only showing “proof of
international travel itinerary scheduled within 24 hours”… – OFW’s,
Balikbayan, and Foreigners are Allowed to Leave PH Amidst COVID-19
Crisis