MANILA – Shortly after President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s announcement lifting the ban on non-essential travels abroad amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic, travelers almost instantly swamped the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
And it’s safe to say now that the scene at NAIA is “back to normal” from hereon as the photos below would show:
“Suspension of non-essential travel by Filipinos is now lifted. All exit travel restrictions are also lifted. Conditions for outbound travel of Filipinos, ‘yung Pilipinong gustong lumabas sa bayan niya, ito lang ang tandaan ninyo (should be remembered by Filipinos who want to go out of the country),” Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque was quoted as saying.
Under IATF Resolution 52 approved on Monday, Filipinos traveling on tourist visas need to submit confirmed round-trip tickets before they can be allowed to embark on non-essential outbound travel.
Filipino travelers should also submit travel and health insurance to cover rebooking and accommodation expenses if stranded, and hospitalization in case of infection.
They should also show proof of allowed entry by the destination country, in accordance with their travel, health, and quarantine restrictions.
A declaration acknowledging the risks involved in traveling, including the risk of delay in their return trip, should also be executed.
Upon the travelers’ return, guidelines set by the National Task Force against Covid-19 for returning overseas Filipinos, such as testing and mandatory quarantine, should be observed. (Mike Taboy/Benjie Cuaresma/With reports from PNA)
