Gov't keeps ban on entry of foreigners

The government has decided to keep the ban on the entry of foreigners as a precaution against the spread of the new coronavirus disease.

The latest decision came following a review on the appeal made by a foreign embassy to allow at least foreigners working in major infrastructure projects in the country.

"Ang desisyon ay huwag papasukin muna ang kahit sinong dayuhan maliban na lang sa mga kasal sa mga Pilipino (the decision is to prohibit the entry of foreigners except for those married to Filipinos)," Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said during a Palace press briefing Thursday.

Roque said a technical working group was earlier formed to study if there was an urgency to allow the entry of foreign workers especially those involved in "Build Build Build" projects.

Last month, the Palace earlier admitted that a foreign embassy requested the government to ease the country's travel restrictions for foreign workers, at least those engaged in big ticket infrastructure projects. Roque declined to identify the embassy that made the request. He noted that any policy on the visa issuance must be applicable to all foreigners, not just one nationality.

The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases later created a sub-technical working group "to study and address the management of foreign nationals who will be allowed to enter the Philippines for specific purposes.” The panel included Department of Tourism, Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Finance, Department of Justice, Bureau of Immigration, Department of Health, Bureau of Quarantine, and Board of Investments.

Visa issuance to foreigners has been suspended since the government imposed the strict quarantine measures last March to contain the coronavirus outbreak.

Visa-free privileges of foreign nationals are also temporarily suspended by the government. Only foreign government and international organization officials accredited to the country as well as foreign spouses and children of Filipino national are allowed to enter the country.