Crossing between Metro Manila and the provinces is still prohibited while the capital region is under general community quarantine until Sept. 30, a police official said Tuesday.
Essential workers who must cross to the province and back are allowed to pass through checkpoints as long as they present their company ID, said Lt. Gen Guillermo Eleazar, Joint Task Force COVID Shield commander.
“Wala pong magiging problema. Hindi nila kailangan ng travel authority (There will be no problem. They do not need travel authority.),” Eleazar said, referring to essential workers.
“Kung lalabas ng Metro Manila o papasok dito, kagaya na rin ng ibang probinsya at highly urbanized cities, kailangan pa rin ng travel authority kung hindi po essential worker,” he said.
(If to leave Metro Manila or to enter, like from other provinces and highly urbanized cities, travel authority is still needed for non-essential workers.)
Those seeking to go to the province must first secure a medical clearance health certificate from their respective local government unit’s health officials and present this to the police, who will then coordinate with their province of destination. Only then will a travel authority be granted, he said.
The travel authority will have a specific date and will only be valid on the approved dates.
Locally stranded individuals and those travelling for emergency purposes can apply for travel authority, Eleazar said.
Checkpoints will still be in place all over the capital region to curb unnecessary travel, he said.
READ: Duterte Extends GCQ in Metro Manila, Most of Philippines Under MGCQ
Metro Manila, along with Bulacan, Batangas, Bacolod and Tacloban, were placed under GCQ until the end of September. There is evidence that supports the slow of the virus's spread, but more needs to be done to prevent an increasing number of infections and support the country's economy at the same time.