LUZON LOCKDOWN: Guidelines on Luzon Enhanced Community Quarantine

If you any have travel plans during the period of the Luzon-wide community quarantine (lockdown), you better reconsider as there are guidelines set by the Philippine Government effective immediately to control the Coronavirus Disease 2019 outbreak in the country.

As of 12 midnight of March 17, 2020 (Tuesday), the whole of Luzon is now under "enhanced community quarantine", as announced by President Rodrigo Duterte. This move of the Philippine government is to control the spread of the Novel Corona Virus (COVID-19) disease. The Luzon-wide community quarantine shall take effect until 12 midnight of April 13, 2020. Here are the essential things you need to know.

COMMUNITY QUARANTINE OVER THE ENTIRE LUZON AND FURTHER GUIDELINES FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF THE CORONAVIRUS DISEASE 2019 (COVID-19) SITUATION

Mass public transport facilities shall be suspended.

Land, air and sea travel shall be restricted.

Outbound passengers intending to depart the Philippines from any of the international airports in Luzon shall be allowed to travel for a period of seventy-two (72) hours from effectivity of the Enhanced Community Quarantine. After the 72 hours grace period, no outbound flights from any airports in Luzon shall be allowed.

Inbound international passengers, in transit upon effectivity of the Enhanced Community Quarantine, shall be allowed entry, subject to applicable quarantine procedures if coming from countries with existing travel restrictions imposed by the IATF.

All inbound Filipino citizens including their foreign spouse and children, if any, holders of Permanent Resident Visa, and holders of 9(e) Diplomat Visas issued by the Philippine Government shall be allowed entry, subject to applicable quarantine procedures if coming from countries with existing travel restrictions imposed by the IATF.

UPDATE: The 72-hour travel ban has been lifted. The Inter Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases has lifted the ban on international flights flying in and out of the NAIA. All persons, regardless of nationality, EXCEPT for Filipino TOURIST, may now fly out of the country at any time.

• Inbound international passengers are allowed entry, subject to strict immigration and quarantine protocols.
• For passengers from Italy and Iran, it was agreed that the medical certificates of good health required should be validated by their respective embassies.
• Sweeper flights for foreign nationals to bring them to airports will be allowed to continue operations.
• Only one (1) person is allowed to bring a passenger to the airport and he/she must depart immediately after dropping off said person. The driver should carry with him/her a copy of the airline ticket of the passenger as proof of conveyance.
• Affected passengers should await for official word or contact their respective air carriers on resumption of their flights.

UPDATE AS OF MARCH 19, 2020

Classes in all levels and all school activities shall be suspended until April 14, 2020 and shall resume on April 15, 2020.

All mass gatherings are prohibited.

A strict home quarantine shall be observed in all households. There will be heightened presence of uniformed personnel to assure that quarantine procedures are enforced. Movement of people shall be limited to accessing basic necessities; provision for food and essential health services shall be regulated.

Only those private establishments providing basic necessities and such activities related to food and medicine production, i.e., public markets, supermarkets, groceries, convenience stores, hospitals, medical clinics, pharmacies and drug stores, food preparation and delivery services, water-refilling stations, manufacturing and processing plants of basic food products and medicines, banks, money transfer services, power, energy, water and telecommunications supplies and facilities, shall be open.

For your guidance, here is the Executive Order listing the complete guidelines of the Luzon Enhanced Community Quarantine.

Again... PLEASE. Let’s cooperate and do our part.

It's the civic and moral duty of everyone, to take part in this global effort to reduce this threat to humanity.

Stay safe and healthy everyone!