Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Jaime Morente reminded the traveling public that the ongoing travel restrictions on passengers coming from eight countries in connection with the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic been extended up to July 31.
Morente said the extended travel ban applies to passengers arriving from India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
"With the recent inclusion of Indonesia, the temporary ban now covers eight countries," he stated.
An advisory from the BI states that those coming from the these countries, as well as those with a travel history from said countries, within the last 14 days from the date of arrival will not be allowed to enter the Philippines.
"Because of this temporary travel restriction, anyone coming from said countries will be excluded, meaning they will be denied entry and returned to their port of origin immediately on the next available flight," he said.
Howevee, Morente clarified that transiting passengers are not included in the travel ban.
Those considered as transiting passengers were individuals who were there only for a layover, and were not admitted by immigration authorities in the banned country.
BI port operations chief Carlos Capulong added that the extended and expanded travel restrictions have been communicated to all airlines for their guidance.
An excluded passenger, once denied entry by the BI, becomes the responsibility of the carrying airline, which shall ensure that the passenger is boarded immediately on his or her outbound flight.