JTF COVID Shield releases simplified and updated travel protocol flowcharts

June 21, 2020

The Joint Task Force COVID Shield has cleared things  for those on essential in travels by releasing two more travel protocol flowcharts to guide the public on the restrictions and documents that have to be accomplished before going to any part of the country amid the implementation of quarantine rules to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

Police Lt. Gen. Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar, commander of the Joint Task Force COVID Shield, said the two travel protocol flowcharts answer basic questions that those planning to travel have in mind under all types of quarantine status.

“We understand that some of our kababayan could not forego of some of the travels out of necessity for their family, for their work and especially as we have already partially opened our economy,” said Eleazar.

“These flowcharts will serve as their guide for their travel plans to save them time and energy for their smooth travel plan,” he added.

The first Travel Protocol Flowchart focuses on all the travels WITHIN the National Capital Region, WITHIN a province and WITHIN a Highly-Urbanized City.

The flowchart stipulates the kind of documents that a person needs before travelling under different circumstances. For instance, those listed under Authorized Persons Outside Residence (APOR) with work-related travel only need to show a valid company ID and certificate of employment in quarantine control points.

For those who are classified as locally stranded individuals  or emergency travelers relating to family and medical emergencies, all they have to present is a valid ID.

The second flowchart shows everything that should be accomplished if the travel requires going out of National Capital Region, going out of a province and going out of a highly-urbanized city.

Under this flowchart, travel authority and medical clearance certificate are needed for some travels, especially travels via a passenger ship or an airplane.

 Eleazar said they have coordinated with Philippine National Police (PNP) chief General Archie Francisco Gamboa  for  implementation of the travel protocols and for the widest dissemination of the protocols through police stations across the country.

Earlier, the JTF COVID Shield released a national travel protocol flowchart that shows how the task force implements domestic travels.

“The nationwide travel protocol flowchart is a simple ‘Yes or ‘No’ guide which is applicable to all quarantine status existing in the area and applicable anywhere in the country,” said Eleazar.

Eleazar said all travel protocols that they crafted could also be used by local government units which was earlier required by  Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año to establish a ‘One-Stop Shop’ to facilitate the compliance of documentary requirements of the travelers.

Eleazar also reminded the public that under the current rule, all travels of locally stranded individuals going to and coming from Cebu City and Talisay City, which are under Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) and Modified ECQ respectively are temporarily banned.

Also included in areas banned for locally stranded individual travels are those under localized lockdowns by their respective LGUs.