The temporary ban on Taiwan has been lifted by the Inter-agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases after it established that Taiwan has been implementing “very strict and excellent protocols” in handing outbound travellers.
The ban on arriving Taiwanese citizens, along with citizens from China, was put in place on February 11, as the Philippines sought to limit the spread of the Covid-19 outbreak within her borders.
The Philippines Department of Tourism (DOT) welcomes the lifting of the travel ban.
Tourism secretary Bernadette-Romulo-Puyat commented: “(This) is highly assuring and we hope that the nCov crisis would soon be resolved, worldwide. Ultimately, the recovery of all affected countries is a universal prayer, especially that tourism is an inclusive and sustainable business for and of the people.”
Along with the termination of the travel restriction, Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific Air will resume flights between Manila and Taiwan.
The Task Force underscores the need to review on a regular basis the precautionary measures taken by the Philippines’ tourist source markets, and to implement stricter protocols to contain Covid-19.
Taiwan is the country’s fifth largest tourist source market, raking up an impressive double-digit growth of 37 per cent for its 305,570 arrivals in January to November 2019.
All preventive and precautionary measures have been put in place by the national government to contain the spread of the COVID-19. The guidelines in handling guests in tourism enterprises during this global emergency are being implemented in hotels and resorts around the country and facilities are equipped with infrared thermometers and more hand sanitizers.
Meanwhile, the ban on tourists coming from China and her Special Administrative Regions (SARs), Hong Kong and Macau, as well as the 14-day quarantine for Filipinos coming from the said places is still in effect.
