Number of quarantine days of balikbayans to possibly increase: OWWA

It is possible that returning OFWs and other balikbayans will take one or two more days to quarantine facilities, according to the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).

That is if the IATF can approve the new quarantine protocols promoted by the Department of Health (DOH) on returning travelers.

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According to OWWA administrator Hans Leo Cacdac, from the sixth day to the seventh day, returning travelers will be subjected to the RT-PCR test and if the result is negative, they will still have to stay in the quarantine facility for one or two days and only get out on the 10th day.

“Sa ngayon, 8 to 9 days ang ilalagi sa mga hotel quarantine pero ang proposal ng DOH, sa ika-10 araw ang releasing so mga 1 to 2 days ang maximum na itatagal ang extension. It applies to everybody, which includes OFWs and non-OFWs,” said Cacdac.

Cacdac also said that the DOLE and DBM have already discussed additional funding for returning OFWs.

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He said the initial tranche is ready but Cacdac just doesn’t know how much it is.

Number of quarantine days of balikbayans to possibly increase: OWWA

According to OWWA chief, this will be enough for the fund to last until the end of the year.

But if the DOH’s proposal to extend the balikbayans to the quarantine facility is approved, he said, it is still possible for them to ask for additional costs.

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Meanwhile, according to Resolution 113 adopted by the Inter-Agency Task Force, the following  are allowed to enter the country provided they should have/be:

  • valid and existing visa at the time of entry, except for those qualified under the Balikbayan program;
  • pre-booked accommodation for at least seven nights in an accredited quarantine hotel/facility;
  • subject to -19 testing at the quarantine hotel/facility on the sixth (6th) day from date of arrival; and
  • subject to the maximum capacity of inbound passengers at the port and date of entry.

Previously, the entry of  should be within the daily limit of incoming passengers as may be implemented by the Department of Transportation.

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