General Guidelines on the Management of the Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) Situation

February 27, 2020POEA MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 003-20FOR : All Concerned   SUBJECT : General Guidelines on the Management of the Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) Situation The World Health Organization (WHO) declared Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) situation as Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). Pursuant to the recommendations of the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (AITF-EID), the following guidelines are hereby adopted. HTcADC1. Travel BanThe temporary ban on the departure of travelers bound for China has been imposed by the Philippine government for all visa types.Consistent with the mandate of affording protection to all overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), whether landbased or seabased workers, the POEA shall defer to the competent health authorities on matters concerning subsequent declaration or lifting of travel bans due to the spread of COVID-19.For joining and disembarking crew for international sea-going vessels, all flights should be scheduled without layovers in China and in any other areas that may be subsequently covered by travel bans.2. Travel PrecautionsOFWs and seafarers travelling to countries not covered by the travel...