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Manila Bulletin

Philippines

BI expands travel ban to include all foreigners coming from China, Hong Kong, Macau

Philippines

BI expands travel ban to include all foreigners coming from China, Hong Kong, Macau

By manilabulletin_admin

By Jun Ramirez Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Jaime Morente announced that he has ordered the implementation of the expanded travel ban for foreigners coming from China and its Special Administrative Regions.

MB FILE - Bureau of Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente (Ali Vicoy / MANILA BULLETIN)

Bureau of Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente
(ALI VICOY / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO) “We have immediately implemented the expanded travel ban, hence all foreign nationals, regardless of their nationality, who will be coming from China shall be turned back and not allowed to enter the Philippines,” he said Morente, however, clarified that Filipino nationals and Philippine permanent resident visa holders will be allowed to enter “subject to a 14-day quarantine, to be implemented by the Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ).” Other visa holders and transiting passengers, according to the BI, will also be denied entry. He added that the ban includes passengers who have been to China, Hong Kong and Macau in the last 14 days. “We have sent a notice to airlines and shipping agents requiring them to screen passengers before boarding to restrict the arrival of aliens who have visited the areas of concern in the past 14 days,” said Morente. The announcement came after President Rodrigo Duterte issued a temporary travel ban Sunday morning, on travels from China, Hong Kong, Macau. Also part of the ban was the departure of Filipinos going to China and its Special Administrative Regions. The move comes after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the 2019-nCov as a global health emergency. It can be recalled that last Tuesday, the BI suspended the issuance of the Visa Upon Arrival for Chinese nationals, in an effort to slow down the arrival of Chinese tour groups. “We urge everyone to temporarily refrain from unnecessary travel, and to bear with the government as we implement this measure,” said Morente.

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