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18 January 2021- Further to Public Advisory No. 05-2021 - https://bernepe.dfa.gov.ph/advisories/1111-public-advisory-no-05-2021-suspension-of-visa-issuance-to-nationals-from-countries-with-new-variants-of-covid-19) from the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID), please be informed of the following additional measures to be observed relative to the new SARS-CoV-2 variants:

    • Extension of the period of effectivity of travel restrictions relevant to the new SARS-CoV-2 variants until 31 January 2021;
    • Inclusion of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Hungary in the attached list of countries/jurisdictions that are subject to travel restrictions (“Restricted Countries/Jurisdictions”) (Annex C), effective 0001H of 17 January 2021 (Manila time) in view of reported cases of SARS-CoV-2, which was first detected in the United Kingdom, in the above countries.

In view of the above, provided are the following guidelines:

    • Exempted Foreign nationals (i.e., accredited diplomats, dignitaries, and foreign nationals travelling to the Philippines for medical and emergency cases, including their foreign medical escorts), coming from or who have been to Restricted Countries/Jurisdictions within 14 days preceding arrival in the Philippines are covered by Resolution no. 92 of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID) as indicated in the following weblink:

https://bernepe.dfa.gov.ph/advisories/1107-public-advisory-no-02-2021-exemptions-from-travel-restrictions-relative-to-the-sars-cov-2-variant-detected-in-the-united-kingdom

  • Incoming unaccompanied minor Filipino passengers:

1. All unaccompanied minor Filipino nationals coming from Restricted Countries shall not be allowed boarding by the airlines until 31 January 2021, except if such minors are returning trough the repatriation program of the Philippine government. Upon arrival in the Philippines, the repatriated minors shall be turned over to the Workers Welfare Administration 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.

2. Unaccompanied minor Filipino nationals who land on Philippine airports notwithstanding the foregoing prohibition against boarding shall not be sent back to their port of departure but shall be turned over to an authorized DSWD officer who can ensure their safety and observance of quarantine protocols. This is without prejudice to penalties that may be imposed on the airline that allowed them to board, as provided in the applicable laws and rules including those issued by the Department of Transportation and its attached agencies.

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.

 

 

Facebook Page Post: https://www.facebook.com/PHinSwitzerland/photos/a.3476989665860583/3489514294608120/