Gov’t suspends issuance of visas to foreign nationals

The Philippine government is suspending the issuance of visas to all foreign nationals amid the threat of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles announced the development in a media briefing on Sunday.

"Visa issuance to all foreign nationals is suspended with immediate effect," he said.

"Visa-free privileges based on visa waiver agreements those under Executive Order 408 series of 1960, holders of Hong Kong and Macau SAR passports, Macau Portuguese passports and British national overseas passports are also suspended effective 22 March 2020," he added.

Exempted from this order are foreign spouses and children of Filipinos, Nograles said.

At the same time, foreign nationals with visas previously issued by foreign service posts will not be allowed entry into the Philippines beginning March 22, Nograles said, with the exception of accredited foreign government and international organization officials and their dependents

Foreign spouses and children of Filipino nationals whose visas will remain valid and will be honored when entering the country even after March 22 are also exempted from this order, he added.

"Accordingly, the DFA shall issue the necessary implementing circular relative to the foregoing," Nograles said.

The entire island of Luzon has been placed under an enhanced community quarantine since March 17 until April 13 in an attempt to stop the spread of COVID-19.

Under this condition, strict home quarantine has been implemented in all households, transportation suspended, provisions for food and essential health services regulated, and the presence of uniformed personnel to enforce quarantine procedures heightened. — Erwin Colcol/BM, GMA News