Overseas deployment ban meant to protect healthcare workers — Palace

Malacañang on Friday justified the government’s decision to keep the overseas deployment ban on newly-hired healthcare workers, saying it was made to ensure their safety amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said the government considered the situation in the most affected countries, including the United States, which has the highest number of confirmed cases and deaths in the world.

"The primary consideration is the health and safety of our frontliners going to the most dangerous places as far as COVID-19 is concerned,” Roque said in an interview on ANC television.

“No amount of waiver will compensate for the fact that the government will be remiss in its obligation to protect the health of its citizens if it were to allow health workers to go to the most dangerous places for COVID-19,” he added.

Based on the guidelines released by the government’s coronavirus task force last month, only healthcare workers who have signed employment contracts as of March 8 will be allowed to leave the country.

“Those who already had their papers processed could leave, but new processing will not be allowed. I don’t think anyone with an existing contract is covered by the ban,” Roque said.

Roque did not say how long the ban will last.

Except for covered healthcare workers, land-based and sea-based overseas Filipinos workers will now be allowed to leave the country upon the execution of a declaration signifying their knowledge and understanding of the risks involved brought about by the pandemic.

Recruitment and placement agencies will also be allowed to operate in areas under general and modified enhanced community quarantine. — Virgil Lopez/RSJ, GMA News