40 countries relax travel restrictions for Pinoys —DFA

A total of 40 countries have already relaxed their inbound travel restrictions to Filipinos, subject to strict medical restrictions and other protocols imposed by their respective governments, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

In an advisory, the DFA said among the countries that now allow Filipinos to enter their territories were Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Jamaica, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, French Polynesia, New Macedonia, Tanzania, Zambia, Kenya and Sudan.

Meanwhile, China, Taiwan, Vietnam, the Marshall Islands, Sri Lanka and Guyana now allow entry exemptions to Filipinos who are dual citizens of the destination country and/or returning residents, overseas Filipino workers with work visas and contracts, diplomatic or UN passport holders and government officials going to post or on official travels.

Fifty-five countries/territories, on the other hand, still do not allow entry into their borders.

Moreover, 146 countries now allow Filipinos to return to the Philippines, subject to flight availability and other special arrangements.

The DFA said this development has contributed to the successful repatriation of more than 115,000 OFWs since February.

With more countries easing their inbound and outbound travel restrictions, the DFA said it continues to advise the public to always check ahead of travel dates with airlines, as well as with relevant embassies or consulates before departure or before booking a ticket. —Ma. Angelica Garcia/KBK, GMA News