(INQUIRER file photo / LYN RILLON)
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines has revised its travel restrictions for inbound passengers and allowed the entry of all Filipino citizens, the National Task Force (NTF) Against COVID-19 said Friday.
“All Filipino citizens, whether a returning Overseas Filipino or overseas Filipino worker shall be allowed to return to the Philippines,“ a memorandum circular signed by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, who chairs the NTF, stated.
The government also revised the effectivity of the travel restriction on inbound foreign nationals that would start at 12:01 a.m. on March 22 and end on 11:59 p.m. on April 21.
The following are exempted from the travel restriction:
- Diplomats and members of international organizations and their dependents provided they hold a valid 9(e) visa or 47(a)(2) visa
- Foreign nationals involved in medical repatriation duty endorsed by the Department of Foreign Affairs – Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, provided that they have a valid visa at the time of entry
- Foreign seafarers under the “Green Lanes” program for crew change, provided that they hold a 9(c) crew list visa at the time of entry
- Foreign spouses and children of Filipino citizens traveling with them provided they have valid visas, provided that they have a valid visa at the time of entry
- Emergency, humanitarian and other analogous cases approved by the chairperson of the NTF COVID-19 or his duly authorized representative
Earlier, the travel restriction only exempted OFWs. It was also supposed to be implemented from March 20 to April 19.