DOT reminds travelers, OFWs: Bring copies of e-ticket, present upon inspection

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Tourism (DOT) has reminded travelers that would use the 72-hour travel window that they should bring copies of their electronic tickets as proof of their travel.

DOT also clarified on Tuesday that while travelers and overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are allowed to travel at any time to the airports, they should only leave within 24 hours of the date of their departure.

“OFWs, Balikbayans, and foreign nationals will be allowed to leave at any time during the Enhanced Community Quarantine, provided they travel only to the airport within 24 hours of the date and time of their departure,” DOT said in a statement.

“Outgoing passengers must provide proof of their departure, such as an e-ticket or flight itinerary,” the department noted.

Earlier, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said that they will allow all airline passengers to leave the country within 72 hours unless their tickets were suspended by their respective airlines or the Civil Aeronautics Board.

READ: DOTr allows all airline passengers to leave PH within 72 hours

However, DOT said that the passengers may only be accompanied by one companion or driver to and from and the airport, and the said companion should also bring a copy of the e-ticket.

Hotels, on the other hand, would remain closed, unless for certain circumstances:

-those with checked-in guests on long-term leases;
-those with foreign guests who checked in before 00:00 (12 a.m.) 17 March 2020; and;
-those allowed to operate to accommodate the staff of neighboring establishments that are also allowed -to operate. In all cases, they shall only be allowed to retain just enough personnel to serve the foregoing guests

“Travelers in various parts of the Philippines who are concerned about being stranded can be assured may contact the DOT for assistance by messaging the official Facebook page at www.facebook.com/DepartmentofTourism until their scheduled flights,” DOT added.

Luzon was placed on an enhanced community quarantine after rising COVID-19 cases. As of Tuesday, there are now 187 positive patients, with at least 14 dead.  Another six patients were allowed to go on a home quarantine, while four have recovered from the ailment.

READ: BREAKING: DOH record 45 new cases of COVID-19; total now at 187

READ: Luzon now under ‘enhanced community quarantine’ – Palace

The COVID-19 is a respiratory disease caused by the novel coronavirus that first emerged in China’s city of Wuhan in Hubei province in late 2019.

The International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses named the novel coronavirus as SARS-CoV-2.

Coronavirus is a family of viruses, whose surfaces have a crown-like appearance. The viruses are named for the spikes on their surfaces.  Worldwide, over 168,000 individuals have tested positive for COVID-19, with at least 6,506 dead.