MANILA, THE PHILIPPINES — MARCH 13, 2020.
The Philippine government has announced an extended travel ban that takes effect on March 15 Manila time. This extended travel ban significantly restricts more nationals entering the archipelago as the nation fights its own battle with the current Corona Virus pandemic.
- from GOV.PH
“In line with the address of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on 12 March 2020, in consultation with the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, the Philippines will be implementing a series of precautionary measures to mitigate the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in the country:
- The Philippines has raised the Code Alert System for COVID-19 in the country to Code Red Sublevel 2;
- Implementation of Stringent Social Distancing Measures in the National Capital Region (NCR) for thirty (30) days. These measures include:
- Suspension of classes in all levels in Metro Manila until 12 April 2020. All students are expected to remain in their respective homes for the entire duration of the class suspension;
- Community-wide quarantine for the entire Metro Manila;
- Suspension of land, domestic air, and sea travel to and from Metro Manila from 15 March 2020 to 14 April 2020.
- Expanded travel ban for countries with localised COVID-19 transmissions, except for Filipino citizens and their dependents (foreign spouse and children), bearers of permanent resident visas, and diplomatic visas issued by the Philippine Government.
The Embassy will continue to post updates and advisories as the issue develops.
The President’s address can be viewed here https://pcoo.gov.ph/presidential-speech/public-address-of-president-rodrigo-roa-duterte-on-the-coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/
So which countries are affected?
The address mentioned “Expanded travel ban for countries with localised COVID-19 transmissions, except for Filipino citizens and their dependents (foreign spouse and children), bearers of permanent resident visas, and diplomatic visas issued by the Philippine Government.” Basing on W.H.O’s list as of this writing, there are 59 countries confirmed by WHO that have confirmed the Corona Virus has transmitted locally.
Here’s the link https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/situation-reports/20200310-sitrep-50-covid-19.pdf?sfvrsn=55e904fb_2
What does this mean for airlines?
This will bring further reduction in flights as this ban arguably only allows its nationals to land in the Philippines. The Philippines, main attraction is tourism will definitely be hardest hit along of course its aviation industry.
Further flight cancellations, aircraft grounding, redundancies are expected from this announcement.
What are your thoughts?
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