Beginning yesterday, May 1, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) began implementing the resolution of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) allowing the entry of aliens with valid and existing visas. This includes aliens with existing immigrant and non-immigrant visas.

Except for diplomats and members of international organizations holding Section 9(e) visas, arriving passengers are required to present a pre-booked accommodation for at least seven nights in an accredited quarantine hotel facility. They will also be subjected to COVID-19 testing at the quarantine facility where they are staying, on the sixth day from their date of arrival.

In compliance with the IATF ruling, foreign residents, students, investors, and workers who are holding valid and existing visas may now return to the Philippines.

Additionally, foreign nationals qualified under the government’s Republic Act No. 6768, or the Balikbayan Program, may also be allowed to enter visa free.

The said program allows the spouse and the children of a Filipino national traveling with the Filipino spouse or parent, or a former Filipino who has acquired the citizenship of another country, to enter visa free if part of the 157 countries covered by EO 408.

Foreign nationals who are holders of valid and existing Special Resident and Retirees Visa (SRRV) or Section 9(a) temporary visitors’ visas may be allowed entry provided they present an entry exemption document issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs upon arrival.

According to BI Port Operations Division Chief Atty. Carlos Capulong, the BI will still be implementing previous regulations on the presentation of valid pre-booked quarantine accommodation.

Capulong forewarned that those who fail to present their quarantine arrangements shall be denied entry and shall be boarded immediately on the next available flight back to their port of origin.

The BI also added that following a previous IATF ruling, those coming from India or have a travel history to India within the last 14 days preceding arrival are still barred from entering until May 14.

An IATF resolution prohibits the entry of travelers coming from India or those with a travel history to India.

The ban has been imposed following the detection and spread of a new coronavirus variant first detected in India.

The IATF deems that this proactive restriction must be put in place to slow down the surge in COVID-19 cases, stop further spread of variants, and allow the health system to prepare, essentially protecting more lives.

Capulong clarified that the travel ban is not ‘nationality-specific’ and applies to any traveler coming from the region.

“We are conducting 100% passport inspection to determine the travel history of an arriving person. If we see that the traveler has been to India within the last 14 days, then he will be excluded and boarded on the next available flight back to his port of origin,” he said.

Capulong added that they are not expecting incoming passengers from India as the IATF resolution clearly stated that airlines are directed not to allow the boarding of passengers pursuant to travel restrictions.

Passengers already in transit who will arrive before April 29 may be allowed, but will be referred to the appropriate agencies for stricter quarantine and testing protocols, to be subjected to an absolute facility-based 14-day quarantine period, he further explained.

  ***

Jokjok (from Annaliza Perez of Cainta. Rizal) —- Holdaper: Re-reypin ko lahat ng babae dito!/ Prosti: Ako na lang po, maawa kayo sa iba, lalo na sa mga lolang nandito./ Lola: Hoy, pakialamera! Sinabi na ngang LAHAT eh! Sasagot pa! Gagang ‘to! Epal!

***

Direct Hit entertains comments, suggestions or complaints. Please have them emailed to [email protected] or text 0919-0608558.