POEA bans OFWs bound for red list countries

The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) has announced that Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) bound for countries on the Philippines' 'red list' will be prohibited from traveling.

This travel ban is in response to the threat posed by the Omicron variant of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

POEA chief Bernard Olalia explained that the cancellation of all international flights from countries with Omicron cases directly impacts outbound flights, preventing OFWs from departing.

The travel restriction affects individuals flying to specific countries including South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique, Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary, The Netherlands, Switzerland, Belgium, and Italy, from November 28 to December 15.

Filipinos returning to the Philippines via repatriation or Bayanihan Flights may still be allowed entry, provided they comply with the current entry, testing, and quarantine protocols for 'red list' destinations.