Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque urged Filipinos in India to reach out to the National Task Force Against 2019 Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) if they want to return to the Philippines.
The Philippines barred the entry of travelers coming from India, or has a travel history to the South Asian nation in the last 14 days due to the threat of a 'double mutant' strain of the virus that causes COVID-19.
The travel ban started on Thursday, April 29, and will last until May 14, unless otherwise extended.
Roque said on Thursday that the National Task Force Against COVID-19 could exempt Filipinos from the travel ban after evaluating their situation.
"Kung mayroon talaga, kung tingin ninyo na kayo ay dapat ma-exempt doon sa ban ay sumulat lang kayo dito sa ating National Task Force na pinamumunuan po ni National Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana," Roque said during DZRH's Coffee Break.
"Puwede iyan by email, puwede iyan by fax, puwede iyan by snail mail at ii-evaluate naman iyong kaso ninyo," he added.
The Palace official, however, cited the challenges in bringing back Filipinos from India to the Philippines due to the lack of direct flights between the two countries.
"Lahat noong mga bansa na mayroong connecting flights to Manila kagaya ng Singapore, kagaya ng Thailand, eh lahat din sila ay ipinagbawal na rin ang pagpasok ng kahit anong flight na galing sa India," Roque explained.
Roque hopes that the Filipino community in India will understand the decision of the Philippine government to enforce a travel ban.
"Naiintindihan naman sana natin, mga kababayan, lalo na sa mga nasa India ngayon kung bakit natin ginawa ito, dahil talagang napakanakakahawa at nakakamatay iyong double mutant na laganap ngayon sa India," Roque said.
As of Thursday, the World Health Organization reported that India has recorded a total of 18,376,524 cases of COVID-19, and 204,832 deaths connected to the respiratory illness.
