The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) yesterday, July 16, allowed the entry of foreign nationals with long-term visas in the country beginning August 1, 2020.
The IATF, however, set conditions prior to the entry of these foreign nationals. They must first have valid and existing visas at the time of the entry. This means no new entry visa shall be accepted. They are likewise subject to the maximum capacity of inbound passengers at the port and date of entry, as returning overseas Filipinos will be given priority.
Foreign nationals must also secure a pre-booked accredited quarantine facility and a pre-booked COVID-19 testing provider.
In the same meeting, the members of the IATF prohibited spectators in all outdoor non-contact sports and exercises in areas under general community quarantine and indoor and outdoor sports and exercises in areas under modified general community quarantine.
In another development, the IATF authorized the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), in consultation with the Department of Finance (DOF), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), and the Department of Tourism (DOT), to recategorize certain industries for the resumption of their operations or gradual increase of operating capacity of industries that are now open.
The DTI is likewise given authority of the IATF to issue a negative list of industries which shall remain prohibited even in areas under MGCQ.
These recent actions of the IATF are in compliance with the directive to ensure the increase of the capacities of the business sector vis-à-vis available transportation to revitalize the economy in Metro Manila and Region IV-A. ###
181
