BI re-implements ban on non-essential travel of outbound Filipinos

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Immigration (BI) is re-implementing the ban on non-essential travel of outbound Filipinos, Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente announced Friday.

Morente made the announcement after the Inter-agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) reimposed the restriction as the country continues to grapple with the coronavirus pandemic.

“Again, only essential travel of outbound Filipinos will be allowed.  Non-essential travel for leisure and tourism purposes will not be permitted,” Morente said in a statement.

The BI commissioner said immigration officers in different international ports in the country have been instructed to implement the ban in accordance with IATF-EID Resolution No. 57.

Morente, however, said that the departure of foreigners and Filipinos who are overseas workers, holders of study visas, and permanent residents in their country of destination will still be allowed.

BI Port Operations Acting Chief Grifton Medina explained that essential travel will be permitted for those who are going abroad for medical and humanitarian reasons, and for business and work-related purposes.

Those who wish to depart the country will be required to present to immigration officers documents and other proof that the purpose of their travel is essential said Medina.

“However, passengers with bookings until July 20 would still be allowed to leave for non-essential trips abroad,” Medina said.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque earlier said the decision was made after only one insurance company agreed to adhere to the conditions to cover rebooking, accommodation expenses and hospitalization should a traveler contract the virus.

/MUF