The Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases has allowed the entry of foreign nationals with long-term visas starting Aug. 1 despite the continuing rise of COVID-19 cases in the country. But the IATF has set conditions prior to their entry.

"They must first have valid and existing visas at the time of the entry. This means no new entry visa shall be accepted," presidential spokesman Harry Roque said.

"They are likewise subject to the maximum capacity of inbound passengers at the port and date of entry, as returning overseas Filipinos will be given priority," he added.

Foreign nationals are likewise required to secure a pre-booked accredited quarantine facility and a pre-booked COVID-19 testing provider.

In an interview over State-run PTV-4, Roque said arriving foreign nationals would have to undergo a PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test.

"Kinakailangan magpa-PCR test nila pagdating nila at habang naghihintay ng resulta, sila po ay mag-i-stay sa quarantine (They need to undergo PCR testing upon their arrival and while waiting for the result, they have to be under quarantine)," he added.

"At ito naman po ay hindi mga ordinaryong mga dayuhan lamang. Ito ay mga dayuhan na kinokonsidera na nila na ang kanilang tahanan ay nandito sa Pilipinas dahil sila ay permanent resident (And these are not ordinary foreign nationals. These are those who consider Philippines as their home since they are permanent residents)," he added.

Meanwhile, Roque said members of the IATF prohibited spectators in all outdoor non-contact sports and exercises in areas under General Community Quarantine (GCQ) and indoor and outdoor sports and exercises in areas under the Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ).

Based on IATF Resolution No. 56 released Friday, the following outdoor non-contact sports and other forms of exercise are allowed in areas under the GCQ and MGCQ provided that minimum public health standards are observed:

• Walking

• Jogging

• Running

• Biking

• Golf

• Swimming

• Tennis

• Badminton

• Equestrian

• Range shooting

• Skateboarding

The IATF also authorized the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), in consultation with the Departments of Finance (DOF), Interior and Local Government (DILG), and Tourism (DOT), to re-categorize certain industries for the resumption of their operations or gradual increase of operating capacity of industries that are now open.

The DTI was authorized by the IATF to issue a negative list of industries that shall remain prohibited even in areas under MGCQ.

"The recent actions of the IATF are in compliance with the directive to ensure the increase of the capacities of the business sector vis-à-vis available transportation to revitalize the economy in Metro Manila and Region IV-A," Roque said.

Outbound Pinoys

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) advised Filipinos intending to go overseas to fully comply with the requirements that the government has prescribed to be allowed to leave the country.

These requirements include the presentation of a confirmed return ticket for those traveling on tourist visas; adequate travel and health insurance to cover rebooking; and accommodation expenses if stranded and hospitalization if infected.

Bureau of Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente stressed that no one is exempted from complying with the conditions imposed on all outbound Filipinos, unless they are permanent residents, overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), and holders of study visa in their country of destination.

“We will be very strict in seeing to it that these requirements are fully complied with, otherwise we will not allow them to leave,” Morente said.

According to BI port operations chief Grifton Medina, BI personnel at international ports were already instructed to strictly implement the resolution of the IATF on the requirements for outbound Filipino travelers.

Medina said it is also important for travelers to first ascertain if the country of his destination has not imposed restrictions on the entry of Filipinos in order to avoid being sent back to Manila.

“They are also required to sign, by their airlines, a declaration acknowledging the risks involved in their travel. They will be informed that upon their return, they will be swab tested for COVID-19 and undergo hotel quarantine,” Medina added.

Even passengers who comply with the requirements will still be subjected to rigid inspection to make sure that they are not victims of human trafficking and illegal recruitment.

Davao-bound passengers Air passengers bound for Davao will be required to present a negative RT-PCR test result from their airports of origin starting July 20.

In an advisory issued on July 16 to all air operators, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) said: “In coordination with the Local Government of Davao City, all airlines are hereby enjoined to require Davao-based/bound passengers to submit a negative RT-PCR test result, released within 48 hours from the date of departure, as prerequisite for boarding at the airport of origin.”

“This measure is intended solely to ensure that the health and safety of the flying public are not compromised in any manner,” the advisory, signed by Capt. Donaldo A. Mendoza, Deputy Director General for Operations said.

The Davao City government on Thursday said that a rapid test result “shall not be accepted.”

“All arriving passengers without this negative test result shall be held at the airport and will not be allowed to come out until they arrange for their testing — at their own cost,” it said.

The city government requested this policy from the national government prior to the resumption of regular commercial flights to the city upon the advice of the Department of Health (DOH) XI Epidemiology Bureau and Infectious Disease Specialists in the Region.

The local government also said that it reiterated the request for testing before boarding on July 14 after noting that the highest confirmed cases recorded from July 5 to July 13 in Davao City were travelers from Manila.

Based on its COVID-19 situation report for the Davao Region, the DOH Davao Center for Health Development has recorded 178 new cases of COVID19 from July 5 to July 13.

Of this number, 111 are from Davao City.

As of 5 p.m. Thursday, 35 new cases of COVID-19 in the region were recorded, bringing the total number of active cases to 347.

“Of these new cases, 30 are from Davao City, three are from Davao del Norte, and two are from Davao del Sur,” the DOH said.

Argyll Cyrus Geducos, Jun Ramirez, and Zea Capistrano

IATF allows entry of foreigners with long-term visas starting August 1