Travel restrictions remain in place under GCQ: BI

Melvin Mabulac, chief of the BI national operations center, said they are in close coordination with the Task Force particularly regarding the international flight travel restrictions at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). (File Photo: Bureau of Immigration, Republic of the Philippines/Facebook)

MANILA – The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Wednesday said it continues to impose travel restrictions set by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) after President Rodrigo Duterte has extended the general community quarantine (GCQ) in Metro Manila until June 30.

Melvin Mabulac, chief of the BI national operations center, said they are in close coordination with the Task Force particularly regarding the international flight travel restrictions at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

“The BI is part of the meeting with IATF, we follow the travel restrictions that have been implemented. We have to limit the number of travelers. Those who arrive in the country undergo testing and being brought to the facility,” Mabulac said in Filipino during a Laging Handa briefing.

He added that they have a one-stop shop that processes travel documents of arriving and departing passengers.

Earlier, BI Commissioner Jaime Morente said travel restrictions that exist under community quarantine are still in place unless they have been eased or lifted by the government.

Under existing guidelines approved IATF, only overseas Filipino workers (OFWs); Filipino citizens and their spouses and dependents; permanent residents; and foreign diplomats are allowed to enter the country.

All foreigners can leave anytime but Filipinos are not allowed to leave unless they are OFWs, permanent residents or holders of student visa in their country of destination.

Meanwhile, Mabulac reported that all offices of the BI have resumed operations since June 1.

He reminded the public that walk-in transactions are not allowed.

“They also have to go online for an appointment. We will not allow them to enter if they have no prior appointment. We need to ensure observe social distancing, it will only be feasible if we will have online appointment,” Mabulac added.