Philippines: Government eases travel restrictions February 21 /update 6

Government allows employees to return to Hong Kong and Macao while Philippines AirAsia resumes some flights amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak February 21
Read all related news alert(s):
Philippines: Authorities extend COVID-19 restriction through December 31 /update 39
Philippines: Authorities extend COVID-19 restrictions through November 30 /update 38
Philippines: Authorities extend partial COVID-19 restrictions in Manila until October 31 /update 37
Philippines: Authorities tighten restrictions in Iloilo City until October 9 /update 36
Philippines: Metro Manila to remain under general community quarantine until September 30 /update 35
Philippines: Over 200,000 COVID-19 cases confirmed as of August 28 /update 34
Philippines: Authorities to impose stricter lockdown in Metro Manila and surrounding areas from August 4 /update 33
Philippines: Over 100,000 COVID-19 cases confirmed as of August 2 /update 32
Philippines: Authorities tighten lockdown measures in Lipa from August 1 /update 31
Philippines: Authorities extend restrictions in Manila and other areas until August 15 /update 30
Philippines: Partial reopening of certain businesses as of August 1 /update 29
Philippines: New measures to be introduced at Francisco Bangoy International Airport from July 20 amid COVID-19 outbreak /update 28
Philippines: Authorities impose two-week lockdown in Navotas July 16 /update 27
Philippines: Authorities record largest daily rise in COVID-19 deaths July 13 /update 26
Philippines: Authorities lift ban on non-essential travel abroad July 7 /update 25
Philippines: Authorities extend GCQ and lockdown in Manila and Cebu City until July 15 /update 24
Philippines: Authorities extend COVID-19 restrictions on June 16 /update 23
Philippines: Philippine Airlines to resume flights from June 1 with restrictions /update 21
Philippines: Aviation authorities announce flights will remain canceled through May 31 /update 20
Philippines: Modified enhanced community quarantine to be imposed in high risk areas from May 16 /update 19
Philippines: Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) to resume international flight arrivals from May 11 /update 18
Philippines: Airports close to all commercial flights May 3 /update 17
Philippines: Airlines extend flight suspensions through mid-May /update 16
Philippines: Enhanced quarantine measures extended until May 15 /update 15
Philippines: Cebu City (Cebu province) authorities extend COVID-19 lockdown until May 15 /update 14
Philippines: Rizal province enters lockdown April 6 /update 13
Philippines: Lockdown on Luzon extended to April 30 /update 12
Philippines: Additional restrictions implemented on Luzon Island March 16 /update 11
Philippines: Curfews imposed throughout National Capital Region amid COVID-19 outbreak as of March 15 /update 10
Philippines: Authorities to lock down Manila amid COVID-19 outbreak March 12 /update 9
Philippines: President declares public health emergency due to coronavirus March 8 /update 8
Philippines: Government implements travel restrictions for South Korea February 26 /update 7
Philippines: Philippines lifts Taiwan travel ban February 14 /update 5
Philippines: Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines suspend flights to Taiwan from February 11 /update 4
Philippines: Airlines cancel flights to China, Hong Kong, and Macau February 3 /update 3
Philippines: Government temporarily bars travelers from mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau February 2 /update 2
Philippines: First case of coronavirus 2019-nCoV confirmed January 30 /update 1
Event
Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Brigido Dulay announced on Tuesday, February 18, that employees in Macao and Hong Kong will be exempted from the active travel ban imposed to prevent the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). Filipino workers will nonetheless have to "make a written declaration that they know the risks of going back."
On Friday, February 14, the Filipino government lifted a restriction that denied entry to individuals who had previously traveled to Taiwan 14 days prior to traveling to the Philippines.
Following this announcement, Philippines AirAsia stated that starting Thursday, February 20, some flights from Manila to Taipei (Taiwan) and Kaohsiung (Taiwan) will partially resumed while other flights are expected to gradually resume by February 24, 25, and March 1, 30, to various locations. The company advises passengers to monitor for any communication regarding their reservations.
To date, there are three confirmed cases in the Philippines.
Further international spread of the virus is to be expected over the coming days and weeks.
Context
The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (China). Human-to-human and patient-to-medical staff transmission of the virus have been confirmed. Many of the associated fatalities have been due to pneumonia caused by the virus.
Cases of the virus have been confirmed in 29 countries and territories worldwide. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions. On February 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that the COVID-19 outbreak is a "very grave threat."
Pneumonia symptoms include dry cough, chest pain, fever, and trouble breathing. Pneumonia can be contagious and can be transmitted from human to human. The influenza virus, or the flu, is a common cause of viral pneumonia.
Advice
To reduce the general risk of transmission, travelers are advised to abide the following measures:
- Frequently clean hands by using alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water
- When coughing and sneezing cover mouth and nose with flexed elbow or tissue - throw tissue away immediately and wash hands
- If you have fever, cough, and difficulty breathing seek medical care early and share previous travel history with your health care provider
- Adhere to all instructions issued by local authorities and their home governments
In the case that symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness emerge either during or after travel, individuals are encouraged to seek medical attention and share their travel history with their health care provider. Travelers returning from China who develop symptoms of pneumonia are advised to call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to avoid potential spread of the disease.
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