9,597 Filipinos abroad got sick of COVID-19

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Monday reported 28 new confirmed COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) cases and 81 recoveries among Filipinos abroad, bringing the total of overseas Filipinos infected with the disease to 9,597 since the outbreak began over five months ago. 
 
In its latest report, the DFA said the new batch of confirmed cases was recorded by the foreign service posts from three countries in Asia and the Pacific, Europe, and the Middle East while the new recoveries were all from the Middle East.
 
The total number of recoveries across the main geographic regions is now 5,653. 
 
Also in its report, the DFA assured that it will continue to actively monitor the status of the Filipino communities abroad and work to safely repatriate more of stranded Filipinos home. 
 
Meanwhile, the DFA said 40 countries have relaxed their inbound travel restrictions to allow foreign travelers, including Filipinos, subject to strict medical restrictions and other protocols imposed by the respective governments.
 
Among these countries and territories are the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Jamaica, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, French Polynesia, New Macedonia, Tanzania, Zambia, Kenya, and Sudan.
 
To date, 55 countries and territories still do not permit entry into their borders. 
 
Due to the unstable travel condition brought by the pandemic, the DFA advises Filipinos to always check ahead of their travel dates with the airlines that will be used as well as with the relevant embassy or consulate of their destination country before departure or booking a flight.