THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) announced that it will be implementing an order from Malacañang extending the arrival ban of travelers from seven countries until June 30.
BI Commissioner Jaime Morente said pursuant to an order from the Palace, the ban on arriving passengers from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, United Arab Emirates, and Oman remains until the month's end.
"Those with a travel history from these countries within the last 14 days before arrival are also temporarily banned from entering," he added.
Morente clarified that transiting passengers, or those who did not exit the airport or were cleared by immigration in said countries, are not covered by the said ban.
"They are not considered to have been admitted in a country if they are there for a mere layover," he clarified.
BI Port Operations Division Chief Carlos Capulong said existing travel restrictions remain in place.
“Our immigration officers are on stand-by and ready to service arriving repatriation flights with our kababayan from these seven countries,” he stated.
Apart from the travel ban on seven countries, the country has imposed a restriction on arriving tourists.
“Arriving foreign tourists are not yet allowed unless authorized by the Department of Foreign Affairs through the country’s foreign posts abroad,” said Capulong.
“If approved, they would be issued their entry visas and entry exemption documents, which they will present to immigration upon arrival,” he added.
Capulong reminded the public that despite prior approval by the foreign posts, arriving aliens would still undergo regular immigration inspection.
“They are still required outbound tickets, as well as documentary proof of their purpose in the country,” he stated.
The clarification was made following several reports of improperly documented aliens arriving in the country.
“Once we encounter improperly documented aliens, they are excluded and sent back to their port of origin,” Capulong stated.