Enhanced Community Quarantine: OFWs, foreigners allowed to leave Philippines

Overseas Filipino workers (OFW) and foreigners may leave the Philippines anytime even if the whoLE of Luzon is under an enhanced community quarantine.

They would only need to show proof of international travel, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said Tuesday night.

Nograles is also the spokesperson of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on Emerging Infectious Diseases.

“OFWs, balikbayans and foreign nationals leaving for abroad through any of the ports in Luzon shall be allowed to leave the Philippines at any time for the duration of the enhanced community quarantine provided that proof of international travel itinerary schedule within 24 hours must be presented,” Nograles said in a press briefing.

The Cabinet Secretary also outlined the following guidelines for OFWs leaving the Philippines towards their respective destinations abroad:

• Provided that proof of international travel itnerary scheduled within 24 hours must be presented;
• Provided further that non-essential travel by Filipinos from any port of Luzon shall be suspended;
• Provided further that this provision shall not be interpreted to allow outbound travel by Filipinos to jurisdictions where travel restrictions are in place;
• Provided further that departing passengers may only be accompanied by not more than one person when travelling to any international port;
• Provided further that OWWA may provide transportation services to OFWs intending to leave for abroad;
• Provided finally that all of foregoing shall be subject to joint guidelines to be issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Department of Labor and Employment, and the Department of Tourism.