- The government has allowed foreign seafarers to enter the country to board ships, Malacañang said on Tuesday.
- The decision was made following the recent meeting of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID).
- Foreign seafarers would be allowed to enter the country under the “green lanes” program for crew change provided that they hold a 9 (c) crew list visa at the time of entry.
A recent news article published in the Manila Times reveals that Govt allows foreign seafarers to enter for ‘crew change’.
Resolution 107
Under Resolution 107, which amends IATF Resolution 105, Roque said that foreign seafarers would be allowed to enter the country under the “green lanes” program for crew change provided that they hold a 9 (c) crew list visa at the time of entry.
Previously, foreign seafarers had to enter the country through seaports only.
The IATF recently revised its rules on the entry of travelers, allowing Filipinos residing and working overseas to return to the Philippines.
Filipino citizens
“All Filipino citizens, whether returning overseas Filipino or overseas Filipino workers (OFW), shall be allowed to return to the Philippines,” IATF Resolution 103 read.
The latest directive came after a memorandum circular temporarily barred non-OFWs from entering the country due to the upward trend in Covid-19 cases nationwide.
Most foreign travelers were banned from entering from March 22 to April 21.
Exemption from travel restrictions
Exempted from the travel restrictions are
- diplomats and members of international organizations,
- foreigners involved in medical repatriation,
- foreign seafarers under the “green lanes” program,
- foreign spouses and children of Filipino citizens traveling with them, and
- other emergency humanitarian cases approved by the National Task Force against Covid-19.
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Source: The Manila Times
