Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from Hong Kong are still welcome to return home as the Philippine government is not considering to impose a travel ban amid a surge in the number of COVID-19 cases there, Malacañang said.
Cabinet secretary and acting presidential spokesperson Karlo Nograles said there is still no decision yet from the government whether or not a travel ban will be imposed.
"No decision on that matter yet as of the moment. We just must ensure that lahat ng ating mga kababayang OFW na pupunta sa ibang lugar ay kailangan fully vaccinated po (all of the outbound OFWs are fully vaccinated)," Nograles said in a virtual Palace briefing on Tuesday, Feb. 22.
Nograles also clarified that all migrant Filipino workers not only in Hong Kong but from any country are welcome to return home.
"Ang policy talaga natin sa bansang Pilipinas, lahat ng Pilipinong gustong umuwi ay papayagan po nating umuwi sa bansang Pilipinas... Sinumang Pilipino, saan man sa mundo ay maaaring umuwi sa Pilipinas (Our policy is that all Filipinos who want to go home, will be allowed ... All Filipino, anywhere in the world can return to the Philippines)," he explained.
"Wala pong (There is no) ban against Filipinos coming home to the Philippines. All Filipinos who want to come home to the Philippines welcome na welcome po (they are most welcome)," Nograles added.
However, Nograles noted that the decision to ban Filipinos going to Hong Kong will be up to their government.
Nograles also reminded migrant workers to continue to follow the protocols and procedures set by their respective countries.
He likewise underscored the importance of OFWs getting vaccinated to protect them from contracting the virus overseas.
"For our OFWs who go to other countries including Hong Kong, the best protection is iyong pagbibigay natin ng full vaccination po sa kanila (to fully vaccinate them)," he added.
Hong Kong is currently struggling to contain a severe outbreak of coronavirus infections with thousands of confirmed cases every day.
The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) earlier said that of the 28 OFWs who have tested positive for COVID-19 as of Feb. 19, five have already recovered, and three have already returned to their employers.
Nograles also assured that the government has been extending assistance to COVID-stricken OFWs from providing an isolation facility and transportation arrangements to cash aid.