BI: No new international travel restrictions under MECQ

MANILA, Philippines — The government has not imposed additional restrictions or revised its guidelines on international travel following the re-imposition of Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ) in Metro Manila and several other areas in the country, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said on Friday.

BI Commissioner Jaime Morente said existing travel restrictions remain unchanged until revised or changed by the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases.

“Unlike domestic flights which are suspended under MECQ, international flights at our airports in Manila, Cebu, and Clark continue,” Morente said in a statement.

Morente issued the clarification after the bureau was swamped with numerous calls and queries from the public after the government announced that Metro Manila was reverting to MECQ.

President Rodrigo Duterte has placed Metro Manila as well as the provinces of Bulacan, Laguna, Cavite, and Rizal back under MECQ for 15 days beginning August 4.

BI Port Operations Division Acting Chief Grifton Medina, however, said that foreign tourists are still not allowed to enter the country.

Aside from Filipinos, only holders of permanent immigrant visas and foreign spouses, minor dependents, and foreign parents of Filipino minor children can enter the country, said Medina.

“However, dependents of Filipinos and children of foreigners who have special needs may enter the country, regardless of age,” Medina said.

Medina likewise reiterated that only foreigners, overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), and Filipinos who are permanent residents or students abroad are permitted to leave the country.

The public is advised to check BI’s website (www.immigration.gov.ph) and other social media accounts for updates on international travel guidelines being implemented amid the pandemic.

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