U.S. Embassy in the
Philippines

United States Embassy Manila, Philippines

Health Alert – U.S. Embassy Manila (April 3, 2020)

Location:  The Philippines

Event: 

Face Masks Required in Enhanced Community Quarantine Areas:

• On April 2, the Philippine Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases announced the mandatory wearing of face masks in areas placed under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).
• Anyone in the ECQ leaving their home is required to wear a face mask.
• According to the IATF, face masks may be store-bought or improvised, such as a handkerchief or small towel covering the nose and mouth.

Consider your plan to shelter in place:  

While the U.S. Embassy is exploring all options to address the current travel disruptions, we strongly encourage U.S. citizens to make necessary preparations if staying in the Philippines during the quarantine period.  Please comply with local quarantine requirements and strictly follow local authorities.

Actions to Take:

• 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.