German Embassy Manila/Deutsche Botschaft Manila

German Embassy Manila

**WICHTIGE VERFAHRENSHINWEISE FÜR AUSREISEWILLIGE DEUTSCHE URLAUBER**

Das neue Portal der Bundesregierung unter www.rueckholprogramm.de ist seit dem 19. März in Betrieb. Bitte nutzen Sie dieses unbedingt und beachten Sie dabei:

- ERNEUERN SIE IHRE REGISTRIERUNG FÜR JEDE BETROFFENE PERSON dort TÄGLICH - ohne tägliche Neuregistrierung verfällt Ihr Eintrag.

- Melden Sie JEDE BETROFFENE PERSON MIT EINER EIGENEN ANMELDUNG im Portal an und erneuern Sie die Anmeldung täglich. Eine Erwähnung weiterer zusammengehöriger Betroffener im Feld “Mitreisende” genügt NICHT.

- Eine Eintragung in der “ELEFAND”-Deutschenliste führt NICHT automatisch zur Erfassung im Portal des Rückholprogrammes.



++SPECIAL REPATRIATION FLIGHTS TO GERMANY++

THE GERMAN GOVERNMENT IS ORGANISING SPECIAL REPATRIATION FLIGHTS FROM MANILA AND CEBU: PHILIPPINE AUTHORITIES ARE KINDLY REQUESTED TO GRANT GERMANS ACCESS TO RESPECTIVE INLAND TRANSPORT FOR TRAVEL TO CEBU OR MANILA AIRPORTS:



A) UPCOMING SPECIAL REPATRIATION FLIGHTS:

- LH FROM MANILA/NAIA TO FRANKFURT/GERMANY: DELAYED, WILL NOT START ON 24 MARCH BUT LATER THIS WEEK

- CHARTER ZT568P FROM CEBU/MACTAN TO COLOGNE/BONN ON 25 MARCH 21.00 h.



B) SPECIAL REPATRIATION FLIGTHS UNDER PREPARATION:

- CHARTER FROM CEBU/MACTAN TO COLOGNE/BONN ON 28 MARCH

- CHARTER FROM CEBU/MACTAN TO COLOGNE/BONN ON 30 MARCH



Please note:

1.) Currently there are international commercial flights operating out of Manila with a lot of vacant seats.



2.) The German government is working to get further special repatriation flights for stranded German visitors scheduled. Tickets for such flights will have to be paid by the passenger (after repatriation). In order to be eligible and receive confirmation for seats on such flights you MUST register daily under www.rueckholprogramm.de.



3.) Exact dates for further repatriation flights cannot at this stage be predicted, delays of announced flights remain possible. Concerned German tourists are strongly recommended to avail of any available international flight by commercial airlines to repatriate soon. If you intend to leave, do not wait for special repatriation flights as a seemingly “more convenient” option.



4) Special repatriation flights are set up for stranded tourists. Other Germans residing on a long-term or permanent basis in the Philippines can only be transported on such flights if no more tourists are present at check-in and seats are still vacant.



5.) The Embassy is aware that especially visitors stranded on islands in the mid- and southern Philippines experience particularly severe difficulties in boarding transport to Cebu or Manila. The Embassy in close cooperation with its EU partners is pursuing solutions with the Philippine government. Realistically though, not all situations might be solvable within the next few days.



6.) The Philippine Department of Tourism (DoT) currently operates “point to point” buses from Clark Airport to Manila NAIA Airport. The DoT furthermore assists in finding accomodation in Manila and Clark for tourists on the way to outgoing international flights. Please contact

- for Metro Manila: Wooddrow Maquiling via +63 998 9978687

- for Clark: Carol Uy via +63 906 2488 338

Alternatively, accomodation in Manila or Clark can be found via AirB&B.



7.) Unverbindlicher Hinweis: Ein deutschsprachiges Reisebüro in Manila informiert, weiterhin Buchungen für kurzfristig aus Manila oder Clark in das Ausland startende Flüge vornehmen zu können. Bei Interesse kontaktieren Sie bitte per WA +41 765 867070 oder rufen Sie +63 2 8812 3196 an. Dieses Reisebüro ist NICHT beteiligt an den Sonderflügen der Bundesregierung zur Rückholung. Das Büro nimmt KEINE Vormerkungen dafür entgegen.



8.) possible “sweeper flights” from different islands to Cebu or Clark:

The Philippine government is setting up “sweeper flights” from different islands to the international airports in Cebu or Clark  to enable the visitors to leave the couuntry with international flights. To board sweeper flights (as well as point-to-point busses from Clark to Manila NAIA Airport) authorities require tourists to present an ticket for an outward international flight leaving the Philippines within the following 24 h.



Sweeper flight Information is provided at short notice and can change likewise. For latest information please contact the DoT regional, local or port/airport Offices. Additional information:



SIARGAO: sweeper flights to Clark on 23 March at 10.00 h and 14.00 h.



EL NIDO: for sweeper flights contact AirSwift, Mr. Arvid Acosta via +63 917 841 7771, via Facebook-message to http://facbook.com/talindak oder via the AirSwift Airport Office.



PALAWAN: contact the DoT Office in Palawan via +63 917 1270977 or via dot4b.ppc@gmail.com and provide full name, date of birth, email address and WA telephone number.



ILOILO: contact the DoT Office Iloilo via

iloilocitytourism@gmail.com or via +639981780226; focal person is Junel Divinagracia.



DUMAGUETE: contact the city tourism office in Dumaguete for transport to Cebu



CATICLAN to Manila sweeper flights planned for Thursday, 26 March by the Philippine government.



DAVAO: Civil Defence regional Office opposite the International Airport: +63 82 297 7915; the office provides further telephone hotline numbers on their Facebook site.

DoT Davao staff: Director Tanya Rabat-Tan +63 920 900 5518; Zubeirah +63 977 8510 903; Joanilee +63 917 1783 762; Katherine +63 917 1696 215; Kervin +63 908 7542 654; Clarence +63 906 0171 717



++WEITERES++

Die deutsche Botschaft ist bis auf weiteres für den Publikumsverkehr geschlossen. Deutsche im Land werden gebeten, sich in die Krisenvorsorgeliste “Elefand” einzutragen.



Die Botschaft ist für Fragen zum Rückholprogramm tagsüber bis 19.00 h telefonisch unter +63 (0)2 8702 3030 erreichbar.



In dringenden Notlagen können Sie die Botschaft danach unter +63 917 867 3000 erreichen.



Verfolgen Sie auch die Botschaftsseiten bei Facebook und Instagram (#Germanyinphl).

Department of Tourism Region XI Davao CIty

**WICHTIGE VERFAHRENSHINWEISE FÜR AUSREISEWILLIGE DEUTSCHE URLAUBER**

German Embassy Manila

**WICHTIGE VERFAHRENSHINWEISE FÜR AUSREISEWILLIGE DEUTSCHE URLAUBER**

Das neue Portal der Bundesregierung unter www.rueckholprogramm.de ist seit dem 19. März in Betrieb. Bitte nutzen Sie dieses unbedingt und ERNEUERN SIE IHRE REGISTRIERUNG dort TÄGLICH - ohne tägliche Neuregistrierung verfällt Ihr Eintrag. Bitte beachten Sie ferner, dass eine Eintragung in “ELEFAND” die Registrierung im Portal des Rückholprogramms nichts ersetzt. Die Adresse deboma02@gmail.com der Botschaft wird nicht mehr bedient.



++SPECIAL REPATRIATION FLIGHTS TO GERMANY++

THE GERMAN GOVERNMENT IS ORGANISING SPECIAL REPATRIATION FLIGHTS FROM MANILA AND CEBU: PHILIPPINE AUTHORITIES ARE KINDLY REQUESTED TO GRANT GERMANS ACCESS TO RESPECTIVE INLAND TRANSPORT FOR TRAVEL TO CEBU OR MANILA AIRPORTS:



A) UPCOMING SPECIAL REPATRIATION FLIGHTS:

- LH FROM MANILA/NAIA TO FRANKFURT/GERMANY: DELAYED, WILL NOT START ON 24 MARCH, NEW DATE TBD

- CHARTER ZT568P FROM CEBU/MACTAN TO COLOGNE/BONN ON 25 MARCH 21.00 h.



Please note:

1.) Currently there are international commercial flights operating out of Manila with a lot of vacant seats.



2.) The German government is working to get further special repatriation flights for stranded German visitors scheduled. Tickets for such flights will have to be paid by the passenger (after repatriation).



3.) Exact dates for further repatriation flights cannot at this stage be predicted. Concerned visitors are strongly recommended to consider any available international flight by commercial airlines to repatriate soon.



4.) The Embassy is aware that especially visitors stranded on islands in the mid- and southern Philippines experience particularly severe difficulties in boarding transport to Cebu or Manila. The Embassy in close cooperation with its EU partners is pursuing solutions with the Philippine government. Realistically though, not all situations might be solvable within the next few days.



5.) The Philippine Department of Tourism (DoT) assists in finding accomodation in Manila an Clark for tourists on the way to repatriation or other outgoing flights. Please contact

- for Metro Manila: Wooddrow Maquiling via +63 998 9978687

- for Clark: Carol Uy via +63 906 2488 338

Alternatively, accomodation in Manila or Clark can be found via AirB&B.



6.) Unverbindlicher Hinweis: Ein deutschsprachiges Reisebüro in Manila informiert, weiterhin Buchungen für kurzfristig aus Manila oder Clark in das Ausland startende Flüge internationaler Gesellschaften vornehmen zu können. Bei Interesse kontaktieren Sie bitte ruckflugeph@gmail.com oder per WA +41 765 867070. Dieses Reisebüro ist NICHT beteiligt an den Sonderflügen der Bundesregierung zur Rückholung. Das Büro nimmt KEINE Vormerkungen dafür entgegen.



For possible “Sweeper Flights” from Cebu to Manila please contact Ms Judilyn Quiachon or  Ms. Riza, +63 32 4121980, or the DoT Office in Mactan/Cebu, +63 917 7112509.



Sweeper flights from SIARGAO to Clark are offered for holders of an international onward ticket for a flight within the next 24 hours at times indicated below. Please contact the DOT Office at the Airport.



→ 22.March
1. 12:25 Uhr
2. 13:25 Uhr



→ 23. March
1. 10:00 Uhr
2. 14:00 Uhr



EL NIDO: please contact  Mr. Arvid Acosta via +63 917 841 7771, via Facebook-message to http://facbook.com/talindak oder via the AirSwift Airport Office, for any immediate concerns following new movement restrictions.



Stranded tourists on PALAWAN are asked to contact the DoT Office in Palawan via +63 917 1270977 or via  dot4b.ppc@gmail.com and provide full name, date of birth, email address and WA telephone number.



Stranded tourits in ILOILO are asked to contact the DoT Office Iloilo via

iloilocitytourism@gmail.com or via +639981780226; focal person is Junel Divinagracia.



All foreign nationals in DUMAGUETE should go to the city tourism office in Dumaguete for transport to Cebu, open for tourists with an onward ticket within the following 24 hours.



Sweeper Flights from CATICLAN to Manila for tourists upon presentation of a ticket for international onward travel within the following 24 hours::


22 March → 13:00 h
23 March → 10:00 and 14:00 h

Please contact the DOToffice at the Airport.





++WEITERES++

Die deutsche Botschaft ist bis auf weiteres für den Publikumsverkehr geschlossen. Deutsche im Land werden gebeten, sich in die Krisenvorsorgeliste “Elefand” einzutragen.



Die Botschaft ist für Fragen zum Rückholprogramm tagsüber bis 17.00 h telefonisch unter +63 (0)2 8702 3030 erreichbar.



In dringenden Notlagen können Sie die Botschaft danach unter +63 917 867 3000 erreichen.



Verfolgen Sie auch die Botschaftsseiten bei Facebook und Instagram (#Germanyinphl).

Rückholprogramm des Auswärtigen Amtes

DDO Gov. Uy issued Executive Order No. 25-2020

BOUNDARY LOCKDOWN

Davao de Oro---Governor Jayvee Tyron L. Uy issued an Executive Order (E.O.) No. 25 series of 2020 an Order Declaring the Province of Davao de Oro under mandatory community quarantine in all its entry and exit points effective March 19, 2020 and adopting the unified guidelines of the Regional Task Force COVID-19 of Davao Region.

As President Duterte issued Presidential Proclamation No. 922 that places the entire country in the State of Public Health Emergency after the Outbreak of COVID-19 which threatens national security.

On March 19 at 12:01 AM the province of DDO strictly implemented a locked down in its borders with other regions along with all the other LGUs of Davao Region to implement a Regional Lockdown, adopting the unified guidelines of the Regional Task Force COVID-19 of the Davao Region.

On the other hand, The Inter Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Disease (IATF EID) COVID-19 of the Province of DDO has release and Emergency Hotlines or Help lines for the Province and the 11 municipalities as well.

As of March 18, 2020, there were 202 Confirmed Case nationwide with 17 deaths and 7 have recovered while for the province of Davao de Oro, 8 Persons Under Investigation (PUI), 542 Persons Under Monitoring (PUM) while six (6) has been discharged and 1 confirmed cased of COVID-19.

The 21-year-old female who was the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in the province was residing in Pantukan and currently confined at DRMC in Tagum City. As per report by the health officials she is now recovering and in a stable condition.

In a radio program “Serbisyo Oro Mismo”, Governor Uy encourages everyone to follow the mandates of the Government to support the policy set by the local chief executives and to follow the "Stay at Home" policy, observe proper hand washing and social distancing.

“Ako muhangyo sa mga taga Davawenyo na karong panahuna magtinabangay ta atuang lantawon dili lang atuang sarili kundili para sa atuang mga silingan ug pamilya ug para sa atuang kinatibuk-ang kumunidad, karon ang panahon nga dapat mag-usa kita, mag cooperate kita sa gobyerno tungod kay dili dali na disease one of the trying times dili lang sa atuang nasud but sa tibuok kalibutan,” the governor said.

 “Ang inyung supurta sa atong mga plano sa gobyerno ang gikinahanglan namu, ug unta musunod tang tanan sa mga policiya nga gi set sa atong mga local chief executives’ para mapugngan ug malabanan king maong problema,” said governor Uy.

The modified EO was released and approved by the governor on March 18, 2020. (Rey Antibo, ID DDO)

The PNP personnel of the Davao de Oro Provincial Police Office and the 3rd Provincial Mobile Force Platoon strictly impliments the lockdown of the Region-XI boundaries during the first day implementation of the regional-wide lockdown for the whole Region 11.

Only Cargos loaded with perishable products and one driver are allowed to travel within the region.

This was taken at the provincial boundary of the province of Davao de Oro in Pasian, Monkayo and the Province of Agusan del Sur.(Photo by Rey Antibo, ID DDO)

Neues Registrierungsportal / Krisenvorsorgeliste

Liebe Landsleute,

wir hatten Sie bereits in diesen Tagen um Aktualisierung Ihrer Daten in unserer Krisenvorsorgeliste ELEFAND gebeten. Viele sind dieser Bitte gefolgt, mussten aber erhebliche Geduld aufbringen, andere konnten sich nicht einloggen. Das System ist leider überfordert, mit derart vielen Zugriffen konnte keiner rechnen.

Wir haben daher unter Mithilfe von SAP eine besondere App entwickelt, die Ihnen unter https://www.rueckholprogramm.de zur Verfügung steht. Wir möchten Sie erneut bitten, sich dort einmalig zu registrieren und Ihren Wunsch der Teilnahme einzutragen. Wir bitten, den zusätzlichen Aufwand zu entschuldigen, möchten aber vermeiden, dass letztlich technische Gründe zu einem Datenverlust führen, und Landsleute nur deshalb unberücksichtigt bleiben. Die Anwendung ist einfach und modern und lässt sich auch von mobilen Geräten nutzen.

Mit dieser App können wir den Bedarf bezogen auf den jeweiligen Abflughafen ermitteln und anschließend bei Maßnahmen in Ihrem Aufenthaltsland mit Ihnen Kontakt aufnehmen. So müssen Sie nicht telefonisch mit der deutschen Auslandsvertretung oder dem Auswärtigen Amt Verbindung aufnehmen.

Bei Teilnahme am Programm müssen Sie einen Antrag nach § 6 Konsulargesetz unterschreiben. Ein entsprechendes Formular finden Sie beigefügt. Bringen Sie dieses bitte ggf. ausgefüllt und unterschrieben zum Abflug mit. Sie müssen zwar keinen Flugpreis im Voraus bezahlen, aber später Flugkosten in Höhe eines Economy-Tickets auf Rechnung erstatten.

Sollten Sie mit deutschen Staatsangehörigen in Kontakt sein, die sich noch nicht in unserer Krisenvorsorgeliste registriert haben, werben Sie bitte dennoch weiter für die Registrierung in ELEFAND unter https://www.elefand.diplo.de .

Bitte beachten Sie auch weiterhin die stets aktualisierten Reise- und Sicherheitshinweise unter www.diplo.de, die Sie per Newsletter abonnieren oder in der Gratis-App „Sicher Reisen“ verfolgen können.

Vielen Dank für Ihre Mitwirkung und bleiben Sie gesund!

Ihre deutsche Botschaft Manila

Coronavirus: Asian nations face second wave of imported cases

By BBC

• 19 March 2020

• Share

Related Topics

• Coronavirus pandemic

Image copyrightGETTY IMAGES

Image captionIt comes as these countries had been successful in controlling its domestic cases

South Korea, China and Singapore are among the Asian countries facing a second coronavirus wave, spurred by people importing it from outside.

China, where the virus first emerged, reported no new domestic cases on Thursday for the first time since the outbreak began, a major milestone.

But it reported 34 new cases among people recently returned to China.

Singapore also reported 47 new cases, of which 33 were imported - 30 of them returned Singapore residents.

South Korea saw a jump in new cases on Thursday with 152, though it is not clear how many were imported.

A new cluster there is centred on a nursing home in Daegu, where 74 patients have tested positive.

• LIVE COVERAGE: Latest from the BBC
• A SIMPLE GUIDE: What are the symptoms?
• AVOIDING CONTACT: Should I self-isolate?
• STRESS: How to protect your mental health
• MAPS AND CHARTS: Visual guide to the outbreak

Japan reported three new cases on Wednesday. But Hokkaido, the worst-affected Japanese region with 154 cases, is lifting its state of emergency in place since late February, after officials said the spread of the virus appeared to be ending.

Officials have urged people to remain cautious and stay at home, but said there had been "no surge of infected patients that led to the collapse of the medical environment".

"We've carried out powerful measures on refraining from going out, but from now on, we will move into a stage of reducing risks of the spread of infection while maintaining social and economic activities," governor Naomichi Suzuki said on Wednesday.

China's National Health Commission (NHC) reported no domestically transmitted cases in China for the first time since the virus emerged in late December.

It also said there were no cases at all in Wuhan, the outbreak centre which was essentially locked down earlier this year, but 34 cases arriving from abroad.

China's death toll stands at 3,245, however there have been ongoing questions over the reliability of China's data.

All four countries had all been showing success in controlling domestic cases, but there is concern that increases elsewhere could unravel their progress.

South Korea has been praised for its response to the epidemic, which has involved tracing the infection, testing large amounts of people and isolating patients quickly.

The pace of daily new infections has slowed since the outbreak peaked earlier this month. Before Wednesday's increase, the number of people contracting the virus had been in double digits for the last four days.

Health officials have warned there is no room for complacency and are once again urging the public to stay away from large gatherings including in churches, nursing homes, internet cafes and karaoke rooms.

Three people from the national fencing team have tested positive for coronavirus after returning from a competition in Hungary. All 26 athletes and coaches are now being tested.

Read more from Laura: Is S Korea's rapid testing the key to coronavirus?

'Stay home, please'

Much of the focus has now shifted to Europe and the US, but the new numbers signal that the outbreak is far from over in Asia.

Malaysia's senior health office on Wednesday begged people to "stay at home and protect yourself and your family. Please".

Image captionMalaysia has brought in a ban on public gatherings and closed schools

Malaysia, which is under a partial lockdown, has tallied 710 people with the virus, the worst in South East Asia. Many of the cases are linked to one religious event in the capital, Kuala Lumpur, in February.

"We have a slim chance to break the chain of COVID-19 infections," Noor Hisham Abdullah, director general of Health Malaysia, said on Facebook.

"Failure is not an option here. If not, we may face a third wave of this virus, which would be greater than a tsunami, if we maintain a 'so what' attitude."

According to a tally by Johns Hopkins University in the US, there are 215,955 cases and 8,749 deaths globally.

The World Health Organization (WHO) says the vast majority - 80% - have occurred in Europe and the Western Pacific region, which includes much of Asia.

German Embassy Manila ++SPECIAL REPATRIATION FLIGHTS TO GERMANY++

German Embassy Manila
++SPECIAL REPATRIATION FLIGHTS TO GERMANY++

A) LH 343 FROM MANILA/NAIA T1 TO FRANKFURT/GERMANY ON 19 MARCH 2020 AT 23.30 H;



AUTHORITIES ARE KINDLY REQUESTED TO GRANT GERMANS WISHING TO AVAIL OF THE FLIGTHS ACCESS TO NAIA T1. FROM 15.30 H:



TICKETS WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE BY EMBASSY STAFF ONLY AT THE AIRPORT AFTER 15.30 H, WITH THE FOLLOWING PRIORITY AND SUBJECT TO CAPACITY:

1) GERMANS WITH CONFIRMATION EMAIL FROM EMBASSY,

2) GERMANS WHO INDICATED INTEREST VIA DEBOMA02@GMAIL.COM,

3) OTHER GERMANS,

4) EU MEMBER STATES NATIONALS



B) UPCOMING REPATRIATION FLIGHTS:

- LH 349 FROM MANILA/NAIA T1 TO FRANKFURT/GERMANY ON 20 MARCH 2020 AT 23.30 H,

- CHARTER FROM CEBU/MACTAN TO COLOGNE/BONN ON 21 MARCH 2020 AT 02.00 H (TBC).



C) FURTHER SPECIAL REPATRIATION FLIGHTS ARE PLANNED IN THE COMING DAYS.



++Bewegungsbeschränkungen im Land und COVID-19-Ausreisen++

Die deutche Botschaft ist bis auf weiteres für den Publikumsverkehr geschlossen.

Ausreisewillige Deutsche im Land werden gebeten, sich in die Krisenvorsorgeliste “Elefand” einzutragen beziehungsweise bestehende Einträge zu aktualisieren. Informationen über das “Rückholprogramm” der Bundesregierung werden an Registrierte per E-Mail versendet. Verfolgen Sie auch die Botschaftseiten bei Facbookund Instagram (#Germanyinphl)

Die Botschaft ist für Fragen von COVID-19-Ausreisen tagsüber bis 17.00 h telefonisch unter +63 (0)2 8702 3030 erreichbar.

In anderen dringenden Notlagen können Sie die Botschaft unter deboma02@gmail.com oder +63 917 867 3000 erreichen.



++WICHTIGE MITTEILUNG++

Die 72-stündige Frist zur Ausreise von Touristen wurde durch die philippinische Regierung wieder aufgehoben. Ausreisewillige Deutsche dürfen auch während der bis zum 12.04.2020 verhängten Quarantäne-Periode das Land verlassen.

SONDERFLÜGE für ausreisewillige Deutsche, die sich für einen Kurzzeit-Aufenthalt im Land befinden (Urlauber):

- LH 343 von Manila/NAIA Terminal 1 nach Frankfurt am 19.03.2020 um 23.30 h,

- LH 349 von Manila/NAIA Terminal 1 nach Frankfurt am 20.03.2020 um 23.30 h.

- Charter von Cebu/Maktan nach Köln/Bonn am 21.03.2020 um 02.00 h (tbc).



Für den Zugang zum Flughafen verweisen Sie bitte nötigenfalls auf die englischsprachige Mitteilung oben.



WEITERE SONDERFLÜGE SIND FÜR DIE KOMMENDEN TAGE ZU ERWARTEN.



Phl. Behörden auf verschiedenen Inseln sind bemüht, für Urlauber kurzfristig Sondertransportmöglichkeiten nach Cebu oder Clark zu organisieren. Bitte informieren Sie sich vor Ort (Hafen, Flughafen) über den letzten Stand.

Dringende Mitteilung der German Embassy Manila/Urgent Advisory of German Embassy Manila

German Embassy Manila

++ Aktuelle Informationen über Einschränkungen aufgrund der Covid19-Maßnahmen im Land ++

++ dringende Mitteilung ++


Wegen der am 16.03. mit sofortiger Geltung verhängten verschärften Bewegungsbeschränkungen (“enhanced community quarantaine”) für den Großraum Manila und ganz Luzon bleibt die Deutsche Botschaft Manila bis auf weiteres geschlossen. Informationen über kurzfristige Ausreisemöglichkeiten für Deutsche aus den Philippinen liegen derzeit nicht vor.

In anderen dringenden Notlagen können Sie die Botschaft unter deboma02@gmail.com oder +63 917 867 3000 erreichen. Verfolgen Sie die Botschaftsseiten auf Facebook und Instagram für weitere Informationen.



++ Urgent Advisory ++

Due to the “enhanced community quarantine” for the greater Manila area and all of Luzon, which was imposed on 16 March with immediate effect, the German Embassy Manila will remain closed until further notice. No information on short-term exit possibilities for Germans from the Philippines is currently available.

For other urgent emergency situations you can contact the Embassy at deboma02@gmail.com or +63 917 867 3000. Follow the Embassy pages on Facebook and Instagram for more information.

Germany to reintroduce border controls ...

... with five countries due to coronavirus crisis

A German police officer wearing a facemask controls drivers at the French and German border between the cities of Strasbourg and Kehl on March 12, 2020 as part of measures taken due to the COVID-19 ou

AFP/The Local

news@thelocal.at

15 March 2020

15:43 CET+01:00

Germany will reintroduce border controls with France, Austria, Switzerland, Luxemburg and Denmark from Monday morning due to the coronavirus crisis, to help stop the spread of the coronavirus.

Interior Minister Horst Seehofer announced the closures on Sunday evening during a press conference.

"The spread of the coronavirus is progressing quickly and aggressively...one of the most important measures will be to cut off the chain of infection," Seehofer told reporters as he announced the new border controls.

The measures will take effect at 8am Monday (and from 6am on the Denmark border) with goods and cross-border commuters exempt.

German citizens and people with a residency permit will be allowed to return to the country.

People "without a significant reason to travel" and those suspected of having been infected with the virus will not be allowed to cross the affected borders, he said.

Seehofer stressed the new controls would be temporary, and would be reassessed "from time to time".

But the high point of the coronavirus crisis had not yet been reached, he warned, urging citizens to avoid social contact.

The decision had been taken after the Robert Koch Institute, which is responsible for public health in Germany, had declared that the French border region of Alsace-Lorraine as a risk area.

"This sparked a lot of questions and unrest in the neighbouring states," he said.

Germany is one of the countries worst hit by the coronavirus pandemic. The country now has more than 5,500 confirmed coronavirus cases, a jump of over 1,000 compared to Saturday. There are 12 reported deaths.

A source close to the matter had told AFP earlier on Sunday about the planned border closures, confirming a report in the German media.

The popular tabloid Bild had reported that the closures would take effect on Monday.

Closing borders was not only to contain the COVID-19 epidemic but also to prevent panic bulk purchases by foreigners, which was apparently causing supply problems in areas around the borders, according to Bild.

'Limit border crossings to a minimum'

Chancellor Angela Merkel and Seehofer met with state premiers from affected German regions on Sunday to agree the closures, the newspaper claimed.

Paris, meanwhile, said the decision had been taken in coordination with the French government.

Yet the French Interior Ministry insisted that the border would not be fully closed.

"We are going to limit border crossings to the strict minimum, while allowing people and merchandise to go through. It's not a closure," a ministry source told AFP.

While the German measures currently apply to five countries, other neighbouring countries such as Poland and the Czech Republic have also closed their borders or introduced severe restrictions.

Germany had until now resisted closing its borders so as not to endanger the Schengen agreement, which guarantees free travel between European countries and has already been put under strain in recent years by the migrant crisis and the threat of jihadist terrorism.

But with Europe now considered to be the epicentre of the pandemic, calls to close the border with France had begun to emerge shortly before Sunday's decision.

"The spread of the virus has to be slowed. The basic rule should be: anyone who doesn't urgently need to cross the border should not cross the border," said Thomas Strobl, interior minister of Baden-Wuerttemberg state, which borders France and Switzerland.