As of June 18, 2020, number of cases of COVID-19 in the Philippines is continuously increasing as the Department of Health (DOH) recorded 562 cases on the said date, bringing a total of 27, 799 cases. 

The Philippine government announced that from May 3 until July 1, 2020, all international flights are suspended. All sea and land borders are closed to foreign travellers. Filipino nationals and residents returning from abroad must quarantine for 14 days upon arrival. Face masks are also recommended inside the airport.

According the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), these are the travel restrictions which are imposed for the Filipino travellers that you need to know:

• All arriving Filipino passengers, including their spouse and children (Filipino or foreign), shall be allowed entry subject to quarantine procedures.
• Likewise, foreign crew members as well as foreign government and International Organization officials accredited to the Philippines shall be allowed entry.
• Land, air, and sea travel of uniformed personnel for official business, especially those transporting medical supplies, laboratory specimens, related to COVID-19, and other humanitarian assistance, shall be allowed.

The World Health Organization (WHO) released a general recommendations for personal hygiene, cough etiquette and keeping a distance of at least one metre to from people who are showing symptoms which is necessary for all travellers during COVID-19 pandemic. WHO recommended these practices for a safe travel:

• Performing hand hygiene frequently, particularly after contact with respiratory secretions. Hand hygiene includes either cleaning hands with soap and water or with an alcohol-based hand rub. Alcohol-based hand rubs are preferred if hands are not visibly soiled; wash hands with soap and water when they are visibly soiled;
• Covering your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing with a flexed elbow or paper tissue and dispose it immediately of the tissue, then proper hand hygiene.
• Refraining from touching mouth and nose.

WHO also stated that a medical mask may not be required if a person is showing no symptoms, as there is no evidence saying that wearing any type of mask can protect non-sick persons.

Travellers are also strictly advised to follow proper food hygiene practices this includes washing your hands with soap before touching your food. (Read the five keys for food safety to know more)

As of June, 2020, here is the list of provinces in the Philippines that are COVID-19 free and you might consider to visit when everything gets better:

• Agusan Del Sur
• Apayao
• Aurora
• Basilan
• Batanes
• Biliran
• Camarines Norte
• Davao Occidental
• Dinagat Islands
• Eastern Samar
• Guimaras
• Ifugao
• Kalinga
• Masbate
• Mountain Province
• Quirino
• Sarangani
• Siquijor
• Sorsogon
• Southern Leyte
• Sulu
• Surigao Del Norte
• Surigao Del Sur
• Tawi-tawi
• Zamboanga Del Norte
• Zamboanga Sibugay

Meanwhile, Bohol, has been eyeing to become a model for the "new normal" for its highly-effective pandemic response which has resulted zero COVID cases, and targets to reopen its tourism as soon as possible (Read more here: https://thelookout.com.ph/article/bohol-eyed-as-model-city-for-new-normal)

According to the World Health Organization, it is better and wise for travellers who are sick to cancel or avoid travel to affected areas and places, most especially for elders, and people with chronic diseases or underlying health conditions.