Philippines extends travel ban on UAE, India, Pakistan: what's next for OFWs
September 4, 2022
By Expat Media
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Philippines extends travel ban on UAE, India, Pakistan: what it means for OFWs
DUBAI – The Philippines has extended a ban on all travelers coming to the country from UAE, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal and Oman until June 30.
Philippine Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque made the announcement on Monday evening, hours before the travel restriction was supposed to lapse on Tuesday (June 15). Here's what we know so far:
What to expect from travel ban
The travel restriction is now extended to June 30, which means all travelers coming from UAE, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal and Oman will not be allowed entry into the Philippines during this period.
Travelers with a history of travel from any of the seven countries in the last 14 days prior to their trip to the Philippines will also be denied entry.
Why was the travel ban imposed?
In a statement, presidential spokesman Roque said that Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte approved the extension of the travel restriction to prevent the spread of a highly infectious variant of Covid-19.
Will the travel ban be extended further?
The travel restriction is expected to be reviewed closer to June 30. It remains to be seen whether the ban will end on June 30 as scheduled, or extended further.
The Philippines initially imposed travel restrictions on India from April 29, before widening the ban to include Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka from May 7, and adding Oman and UAE to the list on May 15.
UAE-based OFWs hit by travel ban
Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and returning Filipinos based in the UAE, Oman and the five other countries on the red list have been among those widely hit by the travel ban.
They are not able to fly home while the ban is in place. Only those coming to the Philippines on special repatriation flights are allowed entry into the country.
What about OFWs wanting to return to UAE?
There is no travel ban on OFWs wanting to return to the UAE from the Philippines, however, many have not been able to leave the Philippines due to the limited availability of flights.
Currently, only UAE-based airlines like Emirates are able to operate limited flights from Philippines to UAE. However, ticket prices have soared due to an increase in demand.
Philippine-based carriers Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific have been cancelling or postponing Philippines-UAE flights due to the travel ban on returning passengers.
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What can OFWs do to speed up their return to the UAE?
Airline sources have advised that OFWs in the Philippines who want to return to the UAE can try to book flights on airlines like Emirates. They can also try to book chartered flights.
When did the Philippine travel ban on UAE start?
The Philippines banned international arrivals from UAE and Oman starting on May 15 after arriving OFWs tested positive for the Covid-19 variant first found in India.
How is the Covid-19 situation in the Philippines?
On Monday, the Philippines reported a total of more than 1.3 million Covid-19 cases since the height of the pandemic.
Partial coronavirus curbs remain in place in Manila and nearby provinces. Religious gatherings remain capped at 30 percent capacity, while restaurants can operate at 20 percent capacity in the national capital region.
How is domestic travel in the Philippines?
There are partial restrictions on domestic travel in the Philippines. Non-essential travels remain prohibited. ICA/Expat Media
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