Vergeire advises Filipinos to avoid unnecessary travel abroad

Filipinos intending to travel overseas – regardless of purpose – should refrain from doing so in the meantime, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Singh-Vergeire said Tuesday.

“Filipino travelers are strongly urged to consider the COVID-19 case burden in the country of their destination, as well as the protocol and necessary requirements by the airline and destination country in regard to health and safety."

In an interview through email on January 26, Vergeire also said, "With the discovery of new coronavirus variant, as well as the increase in the number of cases and fatalities in some countries, we urge Filipinos to avoid unnecessary travel.”

As of January 26, there were 13, 587 COVID-19 cases involving Filipinos abroad – a difference of 696 from the 12, 891 cases when the year started.

She noted that the resolution of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) on 22 October 2020 allowing outbound travel of Filipinos stands if the following requirements would be met:

• Submission of confirmed round-trip tickets and adequate travel and health insurance for those travelling on tourist or short-term/visitor visas,
• A Bureau of Immigration Declaration to be provided at the check-in counters by the airlines,
• A negative COVID-19 test taken in accordance with the health and safety protocols of such destination country or airline whenever required, and
• Compliance with the “Guidelines of the National Task Force (NTF) for Returning Overseas Filipinos”

“We would also like to reiterate the importance of practicing the minimum public health standards whenever they may go to prevent the transmission of the virus,” Vergeire added. —LBG, GMA News