Entry into Subic Bay Freeport restricted to combat spread of COVID-19

A security officer inside the Subic Bay Freeport is conducting thermal scanning on people entering the economic zone. Starting Monday. The entry in the free port will be temporarily restricted as a precautionary measure against the coronavirus diseases or COVID-19. (Photo courtesy of Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority)

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) on Saturday said the entry of visitors in this free port would be temporarily restricted starting Monday to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Wilma Eisma, SBMA Chair and Administrator, said the decision was unanimously approved by the members of the SBMA board of directors on Saturday evening to “protect the safety and well-being of stakeholders” in the free port.

The restricted entry will start at 12 a.m. on Monday, March 16, and will last for a month or until 12 a.m. on April 14 while the state of public health emergency in the country is still in effect.

“I know that this is a bitter pill to swallow, as it would hugely impact on business operations in the greater Subic Bay area. But the welfare of everyone in the community should always be our primary consideration,” Eisma said in a statement.

Eisma noted that the restriction would not cover locators, residents or those who are employed and studying inside the free port provided they exhibit no signs or symptoms of COVID-19 infection and that they would leave the Freeport on the same day.

She said an identification card issued by the SBMA would be required from those entering the free port.

Eisma added: “The residents who come from Metro Manila and other areas with local COVID-19 transmission should undergo mandatory self-quarantine for 14 days under the supervision of the agency’s Public Health and Safety Department.”

She said the guideline also applies to accredited service providers, logistics enterprises delivering or picking up goods or supplies, port users, employees of government agencies operating within the free port, suppliers, manpower and logistics providers of ongoing SBMA projects, and emergency service personnel.