Philippines to lift ban on deployment of health workers when COVID-19 situation abroad improves

The government will lift the overseas deployment ban on newly-hired healthcare workers when the COVID-19 situation in other countries has improved, Malacañang said Tuesday.

“Kapag humupa na siguro iyong banta ng COVID-19 sa mga lugar na nais nilang puntahan,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in a televised briefing when asked what will prompt the government to end the ban.

Roque earlier said the ban was implemented to ensure the safety of healthcare workers amid the pandemic, which has killed more than 300,000 people worldwide, including nearly 900 individuals in the Philippines.

At present, only healthcare workers who have signed employment contracts as of March 8 will be allowed to leave the country upon the execution of the declaration signifying their knowledge and understanding of the risks involved as advised by the government.

Returning healthcare workers with Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) exemption certificates were also exempted from the ban. -NB, GMA News