Health Alert - U.S. Embassy Manila (April 9, 2020)

Location: The Philippines

Event:

The Philippine Department of Health (DOH) Launches COVID-19 Hotline:

• DOH is providing free telemedicine consultations for patients who need COVID-19 medical advice or other non-COVID-19 primary care consultations.
• National Capital Region residents can call the 24/7 hotline at (02) 8424-1724 or (02) 7789-8000 (free for Globe/TM users) to consult with a doctor.

The Philippine Mental Health Association (PMHA) Services:

• PMHA has established a virtual mental health support facility, which is designed to be a safe space where people dealing with mental health issues can consult with PMHA's mental health professionals and get online counseling sessions during the crisis.
• Services are free of charge during the Enhanced Community Quarantine.
• The service is available Mondays to Saturdays 8 AM to 5 PM through phone, email, Messenger chat or call, or Skype or Zoom video call.
  • Email: pmhacds@gmail.com
  • SMS: 0917-565-2036
  • Telephone: (02) 8921-4957 or 8921-4959
• The National Center for Mental Health also has "crisis hotline responders" who can provide psychological first aid and suicide first aid for those in distress 24/7.
  • Landline: 7989-USAP (8727)
  • Mobile: 0917-899-USAP (8727)

For more information on the PMHA hotline visit here: https://www.google.com/amp/s/news.abs-cbn.com/amp/life/04/03/20/a-virtual-mental-health-clinic-in-the-time-of-covid-19

For information on Philippine visas and the Bureau of Immigration, hotels, and car rentals, please visit this page: https://ph.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/

Actions to Take:

• Contact the airlines and contacts directly for reservations and updated information.
• Check with your airlines, cruise lines, or travel operators regarding any updated information about your travel plans and/or restrictions.
• Monitor local news for updates.
• Consult the CDC website for the most up-to-date information.
• For the most recent information on what you can do to reduce your risk of contracting COVID-19, please see the CDC’s latest recommendations.
• Visit the COVID-19 crisis page on travel.state.gov for the latest information.
• Visit our Embassy webpage on COVID-19 here for information on conditions in the Philippines.
• Visit the Department of Homeland Security’s website on the latest travel restrictions to the U.S.
• Consult resources below as necessary:

· Philippine Department of Health (DOH)

· Philippine Department of Health (FAQs)

· Philippine Bureau of Immigration (BI)

· Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA)

· Philippine Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB)

· Philippine Maritime Industry Authority

· Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs

· Philippine Department Of Interior and Local Government

· Philippine Department of Tourism

· COVID-19 crisis page on travel.state.gov

· CDC page on COVID-19

· Philippines Travel Advisory

· Philippines Country Information Page

Assistance:

U.S. Embassy in the Philippines

1201 Roxas Boulevard

+63(2) 5301-2000, from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday

After-hours emergency number for U.S. citizens is +(63)(2) 5301-2000.

• State Department–Consular Affairs 888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444.
• State Department’s travel website for the Worldwide Caution, Travel Advisories, Alerts, and the Philippines Country Specific Information.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts.
• Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.