VVA Chapter PI 887

U.S. Embassy in the Philippines

ALERT: The U.S. Department of State has updated its Philippines Travel Advisory. – U.S. Embassy in the Philippines (August 7, 2020)

Please reconsider travel to the Philippines due to COVID-19. Additionally, exercise increased caution in the Philippines due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, a measles outbreak, and kidnapping. Some areas have increased risk.

Read the U.S. Department of State’s COVID-19 page before you plan any international travel: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/ea/covid-19-information.html

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 3 Travel Health Notice for the Philippines due to COVID-19.  

Please visit the Embassy’s  COVID-19 page  for more information on COVID-19 in  the Philippines: https://ph.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/

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Do not travel to:

• The Sulu Archipelago, including the southern Sulu Sea, due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, and kidnapping.

• Marawi City in Mindanao due to terrorism and civil unrest.  

Reconsider travel to:

•  Other areas of Mindanao due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, and kidnapping. 

Terrorist and armed groups continue plotting possible kidnappings, bombings, and other attacks in the Philippines. Terrorist and armed groups may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, markets/shopping malls, and local government facilities. The Philippine government has declared a “State of National Emergency on Account of Lawless Violence in Mindanao.”

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There is an outbreak of measles in the Philippines. Philippine authorities have reported deaths in the National Capital Region, Central Luzon, and Davao. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has additional information on the outbreak: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/philippines-travel-advisory.html#ExternalPopup

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If you decide to travel to the Philippines:

• Please read the Philippines’ country information page: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Philippines.html

• Visit the U.S. Embassy’s COVID-19 page: https://ph.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/

• Visit the CDC’s webpage on travel and COVID-19: https://www.coronavirus.gov/ 

• Monitor local media for breaking events and adjust your plans based on new information.

• Avoid demonstrations.

• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency: https://step.state.gov/

• Follow the U.S. Department of State on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/statedept) and Twitter (https://twitter.com/StateDept).

• Review the Crime and Safety Report for the Philippines: https://www.osac.gov/Country/Philippines/Detail

• U.S. citizens who travel abroad should always have a contingency plan for emergency situations. Please review the Traveler’s Checklist: https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/go/checklist.html.

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The Sulu Archipelago and Sulu Sea – Level 4: Do Not Travel 

Terrorist and armed groups continue to conduct kidnappings on land and at sea for ransom, bombings, and other attacks targeting U.S. citizens, foreigners, civilians, local government institutions, and security forces.

The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in the Sulu Archipelago and Sulu Sea as U.S. government employees must obtain special authorization to travel to those areas. 

Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas:

https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/go/TraveltoHighRiskAreas.html

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Marawi City in Mindanao – Level 4: Do Not Travel

Civilians are at risk of death or injury due to conflict between remnants of terrorist groups and Philippine security forces in Marawi.

The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in Mindanao as U.S. government employees must obtain special authorization to travel there.

Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas:

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/before-you-go/travelers-with-special-considerations/high-risk-travelers.html

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Mindanao – Level 3: Reconsider Travel 

The Philippine government maintains a state of emergency and greater police presence in the Cotabato City area, and in the Maguindanao, North Cotabato, and Sultan Kudarat provinces.

Terrorist and armed groups continue to conduct kidnappings, bombings, and other attacks targeting U.S. citizens, foreigners, civilians, local government institutions, and security forces. 

The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in Mindanao as U.S. government employees must obtain special authorization to travel there. 

Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas:

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/before-you-go/travelers-with-special-considerations/high-risk-travelers.html

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ASSISTANCE:

• U.S. Embassy in the Philippines

1201 Roxas Boulevard

+63 (2) 5301-2000

ACSInfoManila@state.gov

• State Department – Consular Affairs

888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444

• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts: https://step.state.gov/ 

• State Department’s travel website (https://travel.state.gov/) for the Worldwide Caution, Travel Advisories, Alerts, and the Philippines Country Specific Information (https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Philippines.html).

• Follow us on Twitter (@USEmbassyPH) and Facebook (U.S. Embassy in the Philippines)

Please read the updated travel advisory from the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines:

https://ph.usembassy.gov/alert-updated-travel-advisory-u-s-embassy-manila-august-7-2020/ #COVID19PH #coronavirus