Mga kababayan, it would be advisable for everyone to confirm with your travel agents if your country of destination has any travel restrictions related to COVID-19. In particular, the Cook Islands (CI) has officially informed the Embassy that it shall deny entry of travellers into its territory, if their arrival is within the 14 days from their time of departure, from any of the countries in their list which now includes the Philippines. The policy applies equally to CI citizens and residents, who are also advised against non-essential travel to the countries listed. Attached is the Travel Advisory issued by the Cook Islands Government regarding this matter.

In addition, while New Zealand, Samoa, Fiji, and Tonga have not adopted measures at a similar level, i.e., banning travellers from the Philippines, there are travel restrictions in place and measures being implemented at ports of entry. As such, it would be helpful to constantly monitor developments via the following:

• New Zealand: Immigration website https://www.immigration.govt.nz/about-us/media-centre/news-notifications/coronavirus-update-inz-response
• Samoa: Government website http://www.samoagovt.ws/ and the Ministry of Health website https://www.health.gov.ws/

For Fiji and Tonga, only news articles have been available so far as sources of information. The most recent news reports may be accessed through the following links:

• Fiji: https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/410521/coronavirus-fiji-extends-travel-ban-amid-growing-concerns
• Tonga: https://matangitonga.to/2020/02/17/travellers-tonga-urged-take-heed-travel-advisory