As the country battles with the COVID-19 pandemic, the Philippine government has temporarily banned health workers from going abroad.
In an order signed by Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, medical frontliners are not allowed to leave the country “until the national state of emergency is lifted.”
The following occupations are covered by this order:
- Medical doctor/physician
- Nurse
- Microbiologist
- Molecular biologist
- Medical technologist
- Clinic analyst
- Respiratory therapist
- Pharmacist
- Laboratory technician
- X-ray/ radiologic technician
- Nursing assistant/nursing aid
- Operator of medical equipment
- Supervisor of health services and personal care
- Repairman of medical-hospital equipment
The order states, “in pursuit of national interest, or when public so requires, the POEA Governing Board may, after consultation with the DFA at any time impose or terminate a ban on the deployment of Overseas Filipino Workers.”
As of writing, there have been 4,195 reported cases of COVID-19 in the Philippines, with 221 deaths and 140 recoveries.
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