The Mactan-Cebu International Airport announced yesterday that it will suspend entry of foreign travelers for one month starting March 22 but will continue receiving all arriving Filipino citizens.
The new temporary entry restriction is in compliance with the National Task Force Against Covid-19’s Memorandum Circular No, 6 issued on Thursday, revising its earlier issuance which ban entry of both foreigners and returning overseas Filipinos that are not overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
In an updated advisory, airport management GMR-Megawide Cebu Airport Corp. said “all Filipino citizens, regardless of OFWs or non-OFWs,” will be allowed to enter Cebu via the premier airport in Mactan Island.
Also allowed entry are holders of 9(E) visas for foreign government officials, including their family members and attendants as well as 47(A)(2) visas or special non-immigrant visas under the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940, as amended, which allows the President to admit as non-immigrants foreign nationals those who are coming for a temporary period.
Those who will come for medical repatriation and the escort/s duly endorsed by the Department of Foreign Affairs-Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs or the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration will also be exempted.
Foreign seafarers under the “green lanes” program with 9(C) crew list visas are also exempted from the entry ban.
The foreign spouses and children of Filipino citizens traveling with them and holding a valid entry visa are not covered by the temporary travel restriction.
Travelers who are engaging in an emergency, humanitarian, and other analogous cases approved by the NTF Against Covid-19 and hold a valid visa will be allowed entry, the airport management said.
All other foreign nationals shall be prohibited from entering the country via MCIA during the restricted period.
The restriction against foreigners will end on April 21, 2021.
The airport management urged all arriving passengers to strictly comply with the arrival protocols and adherence to the minimum public health standards.
“The well-being of passengers and staff remains MCIA’s topmost priority in this continuing global battle against Covid-19,” it said.*PNA
