Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 5) — Traveling overseas for tourism purposes is still not allowed amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Bureau of Immigration reminded on Sunday.
In a statement, the agency said the reminder had been issued after six Filipinos tried to leave for Cambodia through a chartered flight from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
The passengers said the purpose of their travel was to supposedly “attend a business meeting on shrimp farming,” according to BI port operations acting chief Grifton Medina.
“We want to emphasize and reiterate that Filipinos are still prohibited from leaving the country unless they are overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), holders of study visas or permanent residents in the country of their destination,” said BI Commissioner Jaime Morente.
Medina likewise urged Filipinos wanting to take leisure trips or visit their relatives to “be patient and wait” for the Inter-Agency Task Force to lift the current restrictions on international travel.
