HK, Macao OFWs must submit Covid-19 awareness declaration

Aside from declaring that they are fully informed by local authorities of the matter, the OFWs are also directed to comply with the medical and health protocol in the Philippines and the country/territory where they are staying in. (File photo by Cristina Arayata)

MANILA — All overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) bound for Hong Kong and Macao are required to sign a document indicating their awareness of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) threat, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) said on Friday.

“Consistent with the declaration of the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease (IATF-EID) contained in IATF Resolution No. 06 dated 18 February 2020, the public is hereby advised that Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), whether returning or newly-hired, can be allowed to travel to Hong Kong SAR (Special Administrative Region) and Macao SAR upon execution of a Declaration signifying their knowledge and understanding of the risks involved in the current health developments caused by (coronavirus disease 2019) (Covid-19),” the agency said in Advisory No. 18, series of 2020.

Aside from declaring that they are fully informed by local authorities of the matter, the OFWs are also directed to comply with the medical and health protocol in the Philippines and the country/territory where they are staying in.

The document must also be notarized, POEA said.

On Tuesday, the Philippine government has lifted the travel ban on the two Chinese territories.

The IATF-EID recommended the lifting of the travel ban on Hong Kong and Macao following several requests made by OFWs who claimed that they may lose their jobs if they fail to return to their employers after their vacation leave.

Aside from OFWs, also allowed to travel to Hong Kong and Macao are permanent residents and those studying there.