U.S. Embassy in the
Philippines

United States Embassy Manila, Philippines

Health Alert – U.S. Embassy Manila (April 26, 2020)

Location:  The Philippines

Event: 

Breaking News – Additional Sweeper Flights to Manila on Tuesday, April 28:

• There may be a limited number of seats available on a first-come first-served basis for U.S. citizens on sweeper flights to Manila on April 28 from Cebu, Davao, Cagayan de Oro, Iloilo, Dumaguete, Bohol, and Tacloban.
• If you have an existing international flight reservation in the coming days and wish to take this opportunity to fly to Manila, please visit the Philippine Airlines (PAL) ticket office in your area around 12:00 noon on April 27.  These are domestic flights with smaller aircraft and seats are limited.
• Travelers must have proof of an onward international flight within 24 hours of the sweeper flight or booked hotel accomodations until your confirmed onward international flight.
• Travelers will need to comply with all travel requirements, such as a Health Certificate (see below).
• Travelers may also need to register with the Department of Tourism if they have not already done so.  The DOT Directory of Regional Offices can be found at: http://www.tourism.gov.ph/regional_offices.aspx.  More DOT information is located at: https://philippines.travel/safeph.
• Contact the U.S. Embassy by email ACSInfoManila@state.gov or telephone: +(63)(2) 5301-2000 to request a travel letter for passage to the airport and let us know that you have been confirmed for a flight.
• We will continue to update all U.S. citizens via STEP as additional flights become available.

International Flights Departing from Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA):

International commercial flight options currently exist in the Philippines.  U.S. citizens who wish to return to the United States should make commercial arrangements as soon as possible unless they are prepared to remain abroad for an indefinite period.  The U.S. government does not currently anticipate arranging repatriation flights in the Philippines at this time.

The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) updates their Facebook page with scheduled international flights.  Visit the MIAA Facebook and Twitter pages for an updated schedule of international flights.

https://www.facebook.com/MIAAGovPh/

https://twitter.com/MIAAGovPH

Flight schedules may change at any given time.  Please contact your airline for confirmation.

Department of Health (DOH) City or Municipal Health Office Certificates:

Travelers may need additional requirements, such as a Medical/Health Certificate on quarantine status or fitness to travel.

The DOH Bureau of Quarantine issues this certificate in larger cities, e.g. Cebu and Davao.  For other areas, travelers should obtain a medical/health certificate from the City, or Municipal Health Office.  Some local government Health Offices require a certification letter from the barangay stating the individual has stayed in their locality for at least 14 days to ascertain their quarantine status.  In some cases, individuals may be asked to submit additional medical documentation, such as a chest X-ray.  Check with your province, city, or municipality government website for more information on the Health Office in your area.

Travel Letters:

The U.S. Embassy can provide travel letters to U.S. citizens planning to travel to an airport, which can be presented at checkpoints.  To request a travel letter, U.S. citizens should contact the U.S. Embassy by email ACSInfoManila@state.gov or telephone: +(63)(2) 5301-2000.

Hotel Information:

On April 6, the Philippine Department of Tourism updated the list of operational hotels in the Manila Metro area.  The list can be viewed on the Embassy’s COVID-19 Information page, along with information on Philippine visas and the Bureau of Immigration, the Philippine Retirement Authority, and car rentals.

Actions to Take:

• Contact the airlines directly for reservations and updated information.
• Check with your airlines, cruise lines, or travel operators regarding any updated information about your travel plans and/or restrictions.
• Monitor local news for updates.
• Consult the CDC website for the most up-to-date information.
• For the most recent information on what you can do to reduce your risk of contracting COVID-19, please see the CDC’s latest recommendations.
• Visit the COVID-19 crisis page on travel.state.gov for the latest information.
• Visit our Embassy webpage on COVID-19 here for information on conditions in the Philippines.
• Visit the Department of Homeland Security’s website on the latest travel restrictions to the U.S.
• Consult resources below as necessary:
  • Philippine Department of Health (DOH)
  • Philippine Department of Health (FAQs)
  • Philippine Bureau of Immigration (BI)
  • Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA)
  • Philippine Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB)
  • Philippine Maritime Industry Authority
  • Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs
  • Philippine Department of Interior and Local Government
  • Philippine Department of Tourism
  • COVID-19 crisis page on travel.state.gov
  • CDC page on COVID-19
  • Philippines Travel Advisory
  • Philippines Country Information Page

Assistance:

• U.S. Embassy in the Philippines
  1201 Roxas Boulevard
  +63(2) 5301-2000, from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday
  After-hours emergency number for U.S. citizens is +(63)(2) 5301-2000
• State Department–Consular Affairs 888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444.
• State Department’s travel website for the Worldwide Caution, Travel Advisories, Alerts, and the Philippines Country Specific Information.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts.
• Follow us on  Twitter and Facebook.