31 countries lift travel restrictions vs Filipinos

THE Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Sunday said 31 out of 177 countries or territories had lifted inbound border restrictions on Filipino travelers amid the coronavirus pandemic.

But the DFA clarified that the lifting of the travel ban was subject to medical protocols on arriving passengers.

Some of the countries that recently opened their borders to Filipinos include the Bahamas, Egypt, Ethiopia and United Arab Emirates.

Meanwhile, 68 countries/ territories still do not allow entry such as Cuba, Haiti, Palau, Timor Leste, France and most countries in Middle East/Africa, among others.

About 78 countries/territories, despite inbound border closures, give entry exemptions to Filipinos who are citizens of the destination country and returning residents, overseas Filipino workers with work visas and contracts, diplomatic or United Nations passport holders going to their post or on official travel.

The DFA said 138 countries now allowed Filipinos to return to the Philippines, “subject to flight availability and other special arrangements.”

The department added that, together with Philippine embassies and consulates in these countries, it “remains fully committed to bringing home our nationals, whenever possible.”

But it reiterated that with the recent announcement of the Manila International Airport Authority on the resumption of international flight operations at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 beginning July 8 2020, “travel restrictions can change without prior public notice.”

“Therefore, all travelers are advised to always check ahead of travel dates with the airlines that will be used, as well as with relevant embassies or consulates before departure or before booking a ticket,” it said.