MANILA, Philippines – More than 600 overseas Filipino workers (OFW) repatriated from the United Arab Emirates have arrived in the Philippines, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.

In a statement, the DFA said a total of 648 Filipino repatriates returned home on Tuesday aboard two special commercial flights from Dubai.

The flights landed separately at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay City and the Clark International Airport in Pampanga.

The DFA said the flights were made possible in cooperation with the United Arab Emirates government, the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Philippine Consulate General in Dubai.

The department assured that repatriated Filipinos underwent appropriate airport medical protocols during their arrival.

They will also undergo the mandatory 14-day quarantine against coronavirus disease as required by the Department of Health-Bureau of Quarantine.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has released an updated list of countries with travel bans and restrictions related to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

In their social media post, the DFA posted the infographics on 10 countries that have updated their status on travel restrictions. The said infographics aim to inform Filipinos who are allowed to leave the Philippines.

The said countries include, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Sri Lanka, Ukraine, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mali, and Mauritania.

“It is always best for the traveler to check ahead of travel dates with the airlines that will be used as well as with relevant Embassies or Consulates before departure or before booking a ticket,” the DFA said. AAC

MANILA, Philippines – A total of 425 stranded overseas Filipinos in South Korea have arrived in the country, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.

In a statement, the DFA said the repatriated Filipinos landed in Manila on June 23 via two special flights – Korean Air KE 623 and Asiana Airlines OZ 703.

The special flights were arranged by the Philippine Embassy in Seoul, with the support of the DFA, Department of Labor and Employment, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, and the Manila International Airport Authority in cooperation with Korean Air and Asiana Airlines.

“We will continue to work hard to extend vital assistance to our nationals here in South Korea, including arranging special passenger flights for our stranded kababayans so they can be reunited with their loved ones back home,” Charge d’Affaires, a.i. (CDA) Christian De Jesus said.

Prior to their departure, the repatriated Filipinos underwent briefing on the procedures for COVID-19 testing and quarantine upon their arrival in Manila. They also received vitamins and face masks from the Philippine Overseas Labor Office.

To date, the Philippine Embassy in Seoul has facilitated the return of close to 700 Filipinos in South Korea, both residents and transiting passengers, the DFA said.