08 January 2021 – Further to Public Advisory No. 43-2020 and Public Advisory No. 01-2021 on the inbound travel from countries with new variant of COVID-19 and pursuant to the Resolution no. 92 of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) dated 05 January 2021, the Embassy wishes to inform the public of the current Operational Current of One-Stop-Shop (infographics below) for returning Overseas Filipinos from countries with new COVID-19.

For the operational guidelines on arriving OFWs, please view: https://dotr.gov.ph/55-dotrnews/1283-the-one-stop-shop-established-in-naia-terminals-1-and-2-are-now-operational-to-assist-repatriated-ofws-who-will-undergo-mandatory-14-day-facility-based-quarantine-against-covid-19.html.

For a copy of IATF Resolution No. 92, please visit: https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/downloads/2020/12dec/20210105-IATF-Resolution-no-92.pdf .

Rules on incoming unaccompanied minor Filipino passengers

Further, pursuant to the aforementioned Memorandum from the Executive Secretary dated 05 January 2021, effective 0001H of 08 January 2021, all unaccompanied minor Filipino nationals, who are coming from countries/jurisdictions where travel restrictions are in place on account of the SARS-CoV-2 variant first detected in the United Kingdom, shall not be allowed entry into the Philippines until 15 January 2021, except if such minors are returning through the repatriation program of the Philippine government. The repatriated minors shall be turned over to the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) house parent who, in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), shall ensure the minors’ safety and their observance of quarantine protocols.

All unaccompanied minor Filipino nationals who are not part of the repatriation program of the Philippine government, arriving prior to 0001H of 08 January 2021, shall be turned over to an authorized DSWD officer who can similarly ensure their safety and observance of quarantine protocols.

A copy of the Memorandum from the Executive Secretary may be viewed from: https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/downloads/2020/12dec/20210105-Memorandum-from-the-Executive-Secretary.pdf.

On the Limited DOH-Quarantine Approved Facilities and Mandator 14-day Stringent Quarantine

All overseas Filipinos traveling to the Philippines during this period are again reminded of the limited quarantine facilities in place and are thus strongly urged to reconsider travel plans to the Philippines for the duration of the travel restrictions.

Those entering the Philippines from the affected countries and jurisdiction, including Switzerland, are also reminded that they will be required to undergo and complete a strict mandatory 14-day stringent quarantine at a DOH-approved facility, regardless of negative RT-PCR result. The list of facilities suitable for stringent quarantine may be accessed at the following link: https://bernepe.dfa.gov.ph/images/Facilities_Suitable_for_Stringent_Quarantine.pdf.  

Call to carefully reconsider travel plans to the Philippines

The Embassy calls on the public to carefully reconsider their travel plans, including postponing their trips until after the end of the travel restrictions to avoid personal inconvenience and possible additional expenses as well as help prevent the incidence of the new COVID-19 variant in the country.

The Embassy again reminds travellers to always check ahead of travel dates with their airlines before their scheduled departure date or before booking a ticket as information published could change at any time.

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