Press Release No.188-03
23 April 2003
PHILIPPINES
NOT INCLUDED IN CNMI’S TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF ISSUANCE OF ENTRY DUE TO SARS
The Philippines is not included in the travel restrictions recently adopted
by the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands (CNMI).
In an effort to stop the spread of the dreaded Severe Acute Respiratory
Syndrome (SARS), the CNMI has suspended temporarily the issuance of Authorization
to Board (ATB) for tourists and Authorization for Entry (AE) for contract
workers.
At present, there are around 19,000 Filipinos in CNMI. However, this
development will not affect Filipinos bound for the CNMI as the Philippines
has been excluded from the list.
According to Philippine Consular officials based in Saipan, the Lt. Governor
of CNMI announced in a conference that issuance of ATB and AE have been suspended
for China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and
Vietnam.
U.S. citizens, current holders of valid AE and ATB issued before the announcement
are not affected by the suspension.