Outbound passengers from Luzon given 72 hours to leave – Gov’t

March 17, 2020

The Philippine government is giving outbound passengers 72 hours from the effectivity of the enhanced community quarantine in the mainland of Luzon to depart from any of the international airports in the region.

This was contained in a memorandum issued by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, which Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles read in a press briefing on Monday night.

"Land, air and sea travel shall be restricted," Nograles said.

He said if the person supposedly scheduled to leave did not depart within 72 hours from midnight Tuesday, it means that he or she has decided to stay.

"Inbound international passengers, in transit upon effectivity of the Enhanced Community Quarantine, shall be allowed entry, subject to applicable quarantine procedures if coming from countries with existing travel restrictions imposed by the IATF (inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Disease)," Nograles said.

He said all inbound Filipino citizens including their foreign spouse and children, if any, holders of Permanent Resident Visa, and holders of 9(e) Diplomat Visas issued by the Philippine Government shall be allowed entry, subject to applicable quarantine procedures if coming from countries with existing travel restrictions imposed by the IATF.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Ano said those stranded foreigners who are booked in the hotels could make arrangement with the management.

But generally, he said hotels are not allowed to operate.

Duterte has placed the entire Luzon under enhanced community quarantine to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Celerina Monte/DMS