Duterte expands travel ban to China, Hong Kong, Macau

President Rodrigo Duterte expanded a travel ban to include all individuals arriving from mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau, or those who have visited these areas within the last 14 days, to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV).

The ban applies to all travelers except Filipino citizens and holders of a Philippine permanent resident visa, who will undergo a mandatory fourteen-day quarantine upon arrival.

Filipino citizens, including Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), are temporarily banned from traveling to China and its special administrative regions.

Foreigners arriving from China or its SARs who landed in Manila shortly after the directive was issued were sent back to their point of origin.

Major Philippine airlines have canceled flights between the Philippines and China and its SARs.

Several overseas Filipino workers and tourists in Hong Kong and Macau have expressed dismay over the travel ban, with some missing family events or facing difficulties returning home.

Some tourists are exploring alternative routes, such as through Taiwan, to return to Manila, incurring additional expenses.

Tourism stakeholders, including the Tourism Congress of the Philippines (TCP), expressed their support for the travel ban, acknowledging that the country's safety and health take precedence over business concerns.

The TCP will continue to coordinate with the Department of Tourism (DOT) and other government agencies for updates, assuring other tourism markets that measures are being enacted to ensure visitor wellbeing.