By Anton Garcia

The Philippines’ coronavirus task force said in a statement released recently that foreign citizens and nationals who had not been working overseas will be barred from entering the country from March 20 until April 19.

Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) are exempted from the travel ban, along with accredited officials of foreign governments and other cases that are deemed to be an emergency, although the task force did not provide any further clarification on the last category of exemption.

Richard Araullo, an OFW based in Ajman, says this is a welcome news. “It’s good to know they are providing exemptions for OFWs, especially for those coming from the UAE, which has done an excellent job in controlling the spread of the virus here. I know some friends who are scheduled to go home so this is good news for them. And it’s for everyone’s safety so I think this policy is acceptable.”

Meanwhile, Dubai-based Filipina Viola Bon Victoria thinks the travel ban should be lengthened, especially since there is a continuing increase in COVID-19 cases in the Philippines. “It is even a bigger concern that new variants have come in and are likely to spread. This has to be strictly implemented and extended if possible, for the safety of everyone.”

Passenger arrivals in Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport has been limited to 1,500 per day until April 19 as part of efforts to contain the spread of the coronavirus in the country, which has so far infected over 630,000 people. In recent weeks, health authorities also confirmed the existence of the UK and South African variants of COVID-19.