On 16 April 2020, the U.S. Embassy in Manila issued a Health Alert regarding sweeper flights to Manila — in order to facilitate repatriation from the Philippines — which reads in part as follows:
“Sweeper Flights to Manila on Saturday, April 18:
- Sweeper flights to Manila are planned for April 18 from Bacolod, Bohol, Cagayan de Oro, Caticlan, Cebu, Davao, Dumaguete, Iloilo, Leyte, Puerto Princesa, and Siargao.
- Register for the flight with Philippine Airlines (PAL) by 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 16 at the following link: https://mypal.vip/url/DomesticFlight
- Once registration closes, a PAL representative will then contact you directly to arrange payment and confirm your seat. All flight arrangements will be made by PAL
- PAL has yet to determine the cost of the sweeper flights, but advised that it will be based on a standard commercial fare
“PAL advised that to receive a boarding pass, travelers will need to be able to demonstrate they meet at least one of the criteria below, which is set by the Philippine Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF):
- An onward international airline ticket within 24-hours of the sweeper flight
- Confirmed hotel accommodation until travel and a confirmed international flight if longer than 24-hours
Be a permanent resident in Manila with proof of residential address
