Filipinos who intend to visit their families for a short vacation from the UAE to the Philippines can now fly back home and secure their return to the country.

Abu Dhabi-based OFW Jose Koska, who has been in the UAE for 10 years, shared his experience with The Filipino Times as to how he managed to enjoy a three-week vacation from August to September earlier this year.

"The first step I did is to coordinate sa airline and Government Services ng company namin to ensure about the requirements for travelling to/from the Philippines. I also ensured that I have the most updated guidelines sa airport in Dubai and Manila. Likewise guidelines from both DOH sa UAE and Philippines, and requirements sa OWWA," said Koska.

For those planning to fly to the Philippines for a short stay, here are the things you need to do:

UAE to PH:

• Secure your OEC by going through Contract Verification at POLO-OWWA before your flight.

• Pre-register for the mandatory RT-PCR test upon arrival to PH via Philippine Red Cross Portal at https://e-cif.redcross.org.ph/

• Register at the OFW Assistance Information System (OASIS) at https://oasis.owwa.gov.ph/

Jose Koska (2) COVID-19 test PH OFW
COVID-19 testing booth in the Philippines for OFWs. Photo from Jose Koska

• Upon landing, undergo thermal screening, accomplish required forms and undergo briefing from Philippine Coast Guard

• Proceed to the verification booth for free COVID-19 RT-PCR test

• Proceed to immigration

• Proceed to the OWWA desk for land-based OFWs, and MARINA desk for sea-based OFWs

• Retrieve your baggage, exit the terminal, and wait for the shuttle that will take you to your assigned hotel.

• Wait for your test results for 3-5 days for OFWs. Results will be sent by email.

• If your result is negative, present your result to the assigned quarantine personnel at the hotel for clearance.

• If your result is positive, you will be endorsed by the BOQ to a hospital for further medical management.

• Obtain your BOQ medical certificate via the DOH-BOQ certificate page.

• Ask relatives to pick you up from hotel accommodation or contact OWWA to arrange for your land, air, or sea based transportation going home.

• OFWs arriving from Manila towards provinces should complete a 14-day quarantine/self-isolation once they arrive.

"Ang maipapayo ko sa mga kapwa Pilipino who are traveling during this pandemic ay dapat siguraduhing alam nila ang mga updates mula sa government, airport, DOH, POEA, OWWA and other entities na involved sa Covid-19 at magbaon ng pasensya at laging maging disiplinado sa kanilang paguwi sa Pilipinas at pagbalik sa UAE," – Jose Koska

PH to UAE

Koska states that travellers need to secure their entry permit online. Since he was from Abu Dhabi, he managed to secure his ICA permit prior to his flight to ensure his return to the UAE.

• Secure your entry permit.

FOR ABU DHABI: Update your data at uaeentry.ica.gov.ae (Emirates ID number, passport number with visa stamp, and citizenship)

FOR DUBAI: Update your data at https://smart.gdrfad.gov.ae (Emirates ID number, passport number with visa stamp, and citizenship)

• Secure COVID-19 PCR test. Result must be negative for no more than 96 hours prior to departure.

• Book return ticket.

• Present COVID-19 negative certificate to air carriers.

• Take a lab COVID-19 test upon arrival.

• Download COVID-19 tracking apps

FOR ABU DHABI: Download Al Hosn Mobile App
FOR DUBAI: Download COVID-19 DXB Smart App

Koska shares that he endured nearly three hours at the Dubai-Abu Dhabi border due to the numbers of residents who wish to head back to the capital.

He also reminded Filipinos flying to Dubai and need to head back to Abu Dhabi to be patient as it may take hours at the border.

"Ang pinakamadugo ay ang pagbalik sa Abu Dhabi because of the border requirements. Umabot ng 3 hours ang queue nung pagbalik ko. I was installed a tracking device (watch) and was required 14 days quarantine at home.

• Follow mandatory quarantine rules

• Abu Dhabi residents required to wear a smartwatch to monitor necessary healthcare information during the 14-day quarantine.

He urges fellow OFWs who were asked to do quarantine not to leave their homes and to take care of the tracking device as breaking these rules would cost fines amounting to thousands of dirhams, as per the UAE's law and regulations.

"We were told 50K dirhams is the penalty if you leave your house during the mandatory quarantine of 14 days. I took another PCR test after 12 days and they removed the watch on the 14th day after I received my negative result," shared Koska.

Photo of Staff Report

The Filipino Times is the chronicler of stories for, of and by Filipinos all over the world, reaching more than 236 countries in readership. Any interesting story to share? Email us at [email protected]