Need to Head Back to the Province? They Can Delay Your Entry, But You Can't Be Denied

You'll need travel authority to pass through checkpoints.
Photo/s: Jerome Ascano

Provincial authorities and officials are allowed to delay the entry of travelers from Metro Manila to protect their own residents from COVID-19 infection, a police official said on June 3.

Those were stranded in Metro Manila before the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) need to head to the nearest police stations before returning to the province, said Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, head of the Joint Task Force COVID-19.

The police officers in Metro Manila will then coordinate and inform their counterparts in the province. Provincial police will then approach the local government to grant travel authority to individuals looking to go to the province.

Majority of the country shifted to general community quarantine (GCQ) on June 1, prompting the reopening of businesses and the resumption of transport operations. With eased restrictions, many are heading out not just to return to work, but also to return to their home provinces.

Officials in the other regions of the country are cautious, as they do not want infection to be brought in.

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"Napakaingat ng ating mga local chief executive, lalo na iyong mga COVID-free pa. Ayaw nila siyempre na mapuntahan sila ng mga infected kaya nga gusto nila prepared sila," Eleazar told DZMM.

To clarify, provincial officials cannot deny entry, but they can delay it. This can buy time to check if there are quarantine facilities or testing centers that can accommodate a sample.

"They cannot refuse the entry nitong mga taong ito, pero they can request for delay kung pano na halimbawa iyong kanilang facility, kasi may kaniya-kaniya silang protocol," he added.

In the past week alone, the police processed around 50,000 applications for travel authority.

If you work in another region, you won’t need this travel authority to pass through checkpoints. All you have to do is present your IDs or employment certificates.

And if you’re thinking of going to your preferred supermarket in another city to buy supplies, Eleazar said you cannot go to other cities to just to shop.

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