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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Gov't suspends visa issuance to all foreign nationals entering PH

Gov't suspends visa issuance to all foreign nationals entering PH

Published Mar 22, 2020 12:00 am
By Roy Mabasa  The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease (IATF-EID) on Sunday announced the suspension of visa issuance to all foreign nationals entering the Philippines “effective immediately” amid the increase in the number of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases in the country. Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said the suspension was part of the resolution approved by the IATF outlining, among others, the guidelines for inbound travelers to the Philippines, which is under the State of Calamity due to the spread of COVID-19. Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles (Photo from Karlo Nograles / Facebook page / MANILA BULLETIN) Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles (Photo from Karlo Nograles / Facebook page / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN) The Philippine government is also suspending the visa-free privileges based on visa waiver agreements covered by Executive Order 408 of 1960, including holders of Hong Kong and Macau Special Administrative Region passports, Macau-Portuguese passports and British nationals overseas passports effective March 22. Similarly, foreign nationals with visas previously issued by the different Philippine foreign service posts will not be allowed entry into the country starting March 22. Among those exempted from the visa suspension are officials of accredited foreign governments and international organizations and their dependents, foreign spouses as well as children of Filipino nationals whose visas will remain valid and will be honored when entering the country even after said date. Nograles said the Department of Foreign Affairs will issue a corresponding circular relative to the implementation of the visa suspension. Meanwhile, the IATF resolution also tasked the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) to certify distressed overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) for their appropriate accommodation in designated hotels and similar establishments during the mandatory quarantine procedure upon their return to the country. Watch:
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