The National Task Force Against COVID-19 (NTF) has revised its earlier memorandum regarding pandemic-related restrictions on international travel, and has now allowed the entry of all Filipino citizens to the Philippines as the country stepped up measures to address the fast-rising coronavirus cases.

In Memorandum Circular No. 6 dated March 18, 2021, the NTF clarified that all Filipino citizens, including those that are not overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), will now be allowed to enter the Philippines.

The entry of certain foreign nationals to the country, however, is still suspended from March 22 to April 21.

The new circular revised a March 16 circular that directed all concerned agencies to implement the travel restrictions from March 20 to April 19.

The previous circular temporarily suspended the entry of returning Filipinos who are not OFWs.

Exempted foreigners

Meanwhile, some foreigners are still exempted from the travel restrictions, including:

- Diplomats and members of international organizations and their dependents 9(c) or 47(a)(2) visa at the time of entry

- Foreign nationals involved in medical repatriation

- Foreign seafarers under the “Green Lanes” program for crew change

- Foreign spouses and children of Filipino citizens with valid visas at the time of entry

- Emergency, humanitarian, and other analogous cases approved by the NTF.

The circular said the Commissioner of Immigration would still have the exclusive prerogative to decide on waiver or recall of exclusion orders for all foreign nationals allowed to enter the Philippines.

The NTF said during the March 22-April 21 period, the travel of Filipinos and exempted foreign nationals "shall be subject to the arrival quota set by the Department of Transportation."