PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL

Public Advisory 077-202220 July 2022 INCREASE IN CRIME IN NEW YORK CITY The Consulate General of the Republic of the Philippines in New York advises the Filipino Community to remain vigilant in view of the latest statistics released by the New York City Police Department (NYPD) indicating a 37 percent increase in major crimes citywide. According to the NYPD, grand larceny was up 49 percent this year; grand larceny auto, 46.2 percent; robbery, 39.2 percent; and burglary 32.9 percent. Kababayan taking mass transport are also reminded to remain vigilant as transit crimes have also increased by 55.5 percent compared to last year. Hate crimes have also increase by 12.6 percent city-wide. Kababayan are reminded to be situationally aware at all times when outside their residences and to take the necessary precautions to avoid becoming a victim of crime.

Public Advisory 076-202215 July 2022 KABABAYAN REMINDED TO REMAIN VIGILANT WHEN IN NEW YORK CITY The Philippine Consulate General in New York advises the Filipino Community to remain vigilant after an 18-year-old Filipino tourist from Cebu was reported to have been violently assaulted near the Philippine Center in Manhattan on Wednesday. In view of this incident, the Consulate reminds members of the Filipino Community as well as kababayan visiting New York to exercise the necessary precautions while on the streets or in the subways. Based on information received by the Consulate this afternoon, the victim was walking with three other Filipinos near the corner of 6th Avenue and 46th Street when he was assaulted. The Filipino sustained facial injuries from the beating he received from the suspect who was eventually subdued and turned over to authorities. This is the 41st incident since last year that involves a Filipino who was either a victim of a hate crime or incident or a criminal act. The Consulate is in touch with the New York City Police Department to get more information on the incident. It is unknown at this point if the incident was anti-Asian-hate-related.

Public Advisory 075-20229 July 2022 COVID-19 SURGES ONCE AGAIN IN NEW YORK CITY The Consulate General of the Philippines in New York informs the public that COVID-19 positivity rate has increased by 14.6 percent in New York City, the highest since January 2022.According to the the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, the daily COVID-19 case average, in the last 7 days, is 3,367. This surge is most likely caused by the BA.5 omicron subvariant.It has also been reported that Long Island City and Manhattan have the top positivity rates, of over 25 percent and 20 percent respectively.Kababayan are strongly advised to wear face masks in all public indoor settings, limit get-togethers to smaller settings, getting tested, staying home if sick or recently exposed, washing one’s hands, and getting vaccinated or boosted.

Public Advisory 074-20229 July 2022 75% OF NEW YORK CITY’S MONKEYPOX CASES ARE IN MANHATTAN The Consulate General of the Philippines in New York informs the public that as 07 July 2022, 141 people in New York City have tested positive for orthopoxvirus, seventy-five percent of which are based in Manhattan. The NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene also states that all cases are likely monkeypox. While anyone can get and spread monkeypox, those at greater risk are members of the gay and bisexual community. The NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene has announced the provision of the JYNNEOSTM vaccine to eligible people who may have had a recent exposure to monkeypox. Information on eligibility and scheduling appointments can be found at: nyc.gov/health/monkeypox. Kababayan in New York City are advised to contact their health care provider if experiencing an unexpected rash/sores and other symptoms of monkeypox.

Public Advisory 072-202227 May 2022 ENHANCED COVID-19 QUARANTINE AND ISOLATIONGUIDANCE TOOL NOW AVAILABLE TO NEW YORKERS The Consulate General of the Philippines in New York informs all kababayan that the “NYC Test & Trace Corps” has expanded its COVID-19 Quarantine and Isolation Guidance Tool to provide New Yorkers direct connections to order “Take Care packages” and receive COVID-19 therapeutics.The COVID-19 Quarantine and Isolation Guidance Tool provides a mechanism for New Yorkers to navigate COVID-19 guidance based on their history of infection, date of exposure, or positive test, symptoms, and vaccination status.For more information, kababayan can visit https://covid19.nychealthandhospitals.org/COVID19help

Public Advisory 071-2022 27 May 2022 TRAVEL INSURANCE NO LONGER REQUIRED FOR FOREIGN NATIONALS The Consulate General of the Philippines in New York informs the public that beginning Monday, 30 May 2022, foreign nationals entering the Philippines will no longer be required to present a travel insurance during immigration entry formalities. Securing a travel insurance, however, is encouraged. This is development is pursuant to IATF Resolution No. 168, series of 2022, dated 26 May 2022, which can be visited by clicking the following link: https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/downloads/2022/05may/20220526-IATF-Resolution-168-RRD.pdf It will be recalled that foreigners were originally required to obtain a travel insurance with a minimum coverage of US$35,000 for the duration of their stay in the Philippines.

Public Advisory 070-202227 May 2022 RT-PCR TEST NO LONGER REQUIRED FOR ALL FULLY-VACCINATEDINDIVIDUALS TRAVELING TO THE PHILIPPINES The Consulate General of the Philippines in New York informs the public that beginning Monday, 30 May 2022, Filipinos and foreigners who have received their primary series COVID-19 vaccine and at least one COVID-19 booster shot will no longer be required to present a negative COVID-19 test in order to travel to the Philippines.Unvaccinated, partially vaccinated, or individuals whose vaccination status cannot be independently validated, however, would still be required to present a negative RT-PCR test.Acceptable proof of COVID-19 vaccination are the following:(1)    World Health Organization International Certificate of Vaccination and Prophylaxis;(2)    VaxCertPH;(3)    National or state manual/digital vaccination certificate of the country/foreign government; and(4)    Other proof of vaccinated permitted by the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.Please click the following link below to read the full details of the latest IATF Resolution No. 168, series of 2022, dated 26 May 2022.https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/downloads/2022/05may/20220526-IATF-Resolution-168-RRD.pdf

Public Advisory 069-202217 May 2022 NEW YORK CITY NOW AT “HIGH” COVID-19 ALERT LEVEL The Consulate General of the Philippines in New York informs all kababayan that the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene has raised the COVID-19 alert level in New York City to “orange” as a result of high community spread of COVID-19 and pressure on the healthcare system.Kababayan are strongly advised to wear face masks in ALL public indoor settings, limit get-togethers to smaller settings, getting tested, staying home if sick or recently exposed, washing one’s hands, and getting vaccinated or boosted.

Public Advisory 068-202216 May 2022 NEW YORK CITY SOON TO ENTER HIGH COVID-19 ALERT LEVEL The Consulate General of the Philippines in New York wishes to inform all kababayan that the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene will soon be issuing an advisory raising the COVID-19 alert level in New York City to high as a result of the increasing rate of COVID-19 hospitalizations and rolling new cases.The New York State Department of Health, on the other hand, has identified the following high risk counties for COVID-19: Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, Putnam, Orange, Dutchess, Sullivan, and Ulster.Kababayan are advised to continue exercising more stringent COVID-19 safety protocols, such as wearing a face mask in public indoor settings, getting tested, staying home if sick or recently exposed, washing one’s hands, and getting vaccinated or boosted.