IATF-EID: Non-essential travel is allowed

MANILA: The IATF-EID (Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases) has lifted the ban on non-essential travel, whether domestic or international.

As per Resolution No. 52, “the suspension of non-essential travel by Filipinos pursuant to the Inter-Agency Task Force Resolution No. 13 dated 17 March 2020 is hereby lifted.”

Various safety guidelines have been implemented for international trips such as travel and health insurance, proof of allowed entry by the destination country, a declaration (detailing risks involved in travelling, etc.), and following protocols for returning Filipinos, but rules and regulations for local travel have not yet been stated.

Metro Manila, Benguet province (except Baguio City), Cavite province,Rizal province, Leyte (except Tacloban), Southern Leyte, Ormoc in Leyte, Lapu-Lapu, Mandaue, Talisay, Minglanilla, and Consolacion in Cebu province are all in GCQ.

Tourist destinations (e.g., water parks, beaches, resorts) are not allowed to operate in GCQ (general community quarantine). In MGCQ (modified general community quarantine) however, they can operate at 50% capacity.

These drivable locations in Luzon are under MGCQ:

• Abra
• Baguio
• Ifugao
• Kalinga
• Ilocos Norte
• La Union
• Pangasinan
• Cagayan
• Isabela
• Bataan
• Bulacan
• Nueva Ecija
• Pampanga
• Batangas
• Laguna
• Quezon
• Palawan
• Albay
• Camarines Norte
• Camarines Sur

If you’re planning to get that well deserved R&R at the beach, remember to follow health and safety protocols: Face masks are a must for multiple passengers in a vehicle, only two passengers per row except for the front where only the driver may be seated.

Photos by Eric Tipan and the Philippine News Agency

Also read: Motorists, beware the LTO violations for breaking quarantine protocols