Immigration implements exemption of OFWs from travel ban to Hong Kong, Macau

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Immigration has implemented the lifting of the travel ban for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), Filipinos leaving abroad to study, and permanent residents of Hong Kong and Macau bound for the special administrative regions of China.

Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente announced this after the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases resolved to authorize the new policy in the travel restriction ordered on February 2 to thwart the threat of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

READ: OFWs working in Hong Kong, Macau now exempted from travel ban

“They may be now allowed to depart to Hong Kong and Macau. However, the ban on Filipinos going to both countries as tourists is still in effect,” he said in a statement.

Morente called this new policy a “welcome development” for those who wish to return to their work and to continue studying in these regions.

The task force also resolved to allow Filipinos and their foreign spouses or children, and holders of diplomatic visas to enter the country subject to a 14-day quarantine.

Initially, only Filipinos and holders of permanent resident visas traveling from mainland China, Macau, and Hong Kong were allowed entry into the country after the travel ban was implemented.

The Department of Health said these new exemptions in the travel restriction were based on “thorough risk assessment of the current situation.”