Manila

[Charm City Dave]

Absent a cure using readily available existing drugs in some combination (a real long shot BTW) we should look to Wuhan to see how long a strict lock down takes to control the virus.

They were locked down 11 weeks. A leaky lock-down will take longer to eradicate the disease.

My wild ass guess is that some form of lock down travel restriction will extend until June or July. I have resigned myself to not making it home to Canada this year for my annual visit.

I wouldn't look at Wuhan, the Chinese have lied through their teeth and still are. They disappear doctors who try to tell the world the truth. This is going to go on a lot longer than June or July. If you believe Wuhan is virus free I have some lightly used N95 masks to sell you....

With asymptomatic people spreading the disease, there is no waiting until the last known person is no longer infectious, because there will always be unknown infectious people. There will be some level of travel restrictions in place until they have a vaccine.

[Kabul Guy]

I am no expert on contagion, but it seems to me a country, any country, will have to keep their quarantine / lockdown in effect until at least 14 days after the last known occurrence or risk a 2nd flare up or until a cure can be widely distributed. The Z pac is looking ever more promising in this respect. Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) + Azithromycin.

Absent a cure using readily available existing drugs in some combination (a real long shot BTW) we should look to Wuhan to see how long a strict lock down takes to control the virus.

They were locked down 11 weeks. A leaky lock-down will take longer to eradicate the disease.

My wild ass guess is that some form of lock down travel restriction will extend until June or July. I have resigned myself to not making it home to Canada this year for my annual visit.

[Goferring]

I booked at the Oxford Makati Palace, I've emailed and even facebook messaged them, but no answer. I'll probably have to contact Agoda or my credit card to get the cancellation.

I wouldn't expect you to have any problems when you deal direct with Agoda. When I wanted to cancel all my non refundable bookings with several hotels, I too contacted them direct. I received a universal 'speak to Agoda'. When I cancelled the bookings on the App there was a message saying that all cancellations will be honoured and I received a 100% refund inc taxes and fees.

Just go direct to Agoda (if you originally booked through them).

Cheers. G.

[Wicked Roger]

I am already preparing for the extension. I don't think there is a chance in hell its lifted before April 30.

Seems some law makers think the same.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/125208...in-luzon-story

[Streetlooker]

I hope they do but actually I'm afraid Du30 will extend this enhanced quarantine at least for another 2 weeks till end of April.

I am already preparing for the extension. I don't think there is a chance in hell its lifted before April 30.

[Member #4698]

I am no expert on contagion, but it seems to me a country, any country, will have to keep their quarantine / lockdown in effect until at least 14 days after the last known occurrence or risk a 2nd flare up or until a cure can be widely distributed. The Z pac is looking ever more promising in this respect. Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) + Azithromycin.

[Ekspat]

If flights do start up again on April 15 or 16

I hope they do but actually I'm afraid Du30 will extend this enhanced quarantine at least for another 2 weeks till end of April.

[Red Kilt]

If you decide to go to PH quickly, make sure you book agoda rooms you can cancel.

Check also that visas on arrival (aka tourist visas) are being issued. At present no visas are being issued on arrival.

If flights do start up again on April 15 or 16 you can expect that preference will be given to those who have either a Philippines passport or a permanent visa (like a 39 a / spouse visa).

It hasn't been established yet when visas on arrival will be re-commenced. You'd be wise not to book hotels until the visa aspect is clarified.

[VictorHugo99]

Hi TK,

An optimistic precision is late June, or early Sept to be safe. Since China needed 3 months to come out of it (not fully).

Based in the non-cooperation in other continents by citizens and their country due to ignorance or sheer stupidity, Sept would probably be closer to the reality.

If you decide to go to PH quickly, make sure you book agoda rooms you can cancel.

Be safe,

Vic.

Sh! T! Thanks guys for all of the info. Sounds terrible. I booked at the Oxford Makati Palace, I've emailed and even facebook messaged them, but no answer. I'll probably have to contact Agoda or my credit card to get the cancellation. This sucks. I originally planned on going to Thailand and Philippines because I know there won't be any Chinese / Koreans / Japanese driving up the prices and it would benefit me, but looks like I won't be traveling the rest of this year until all of this blows over. Hopefully with the economies recovering afterwards, it will be back to the pre-2000 prices / fun right fellas?

[ThomKatt]

Sh! T! Thanks guys for all of the info. Sounds terrible. I booked at the Oxford Makati Palace, I've emailed and even facebook messaged them, but no answer. I'll probably have to contact Agoda or my credit card to get the cancellation. This sucks. I originally planned on going to Thailand and Philippines because I know there won't be any Chinese / Koreans / Japanese driving up the prices and it would benefit me, but looks like I won't be traveling the rest of this year until all of this blows over. Hopefully with the economies recovering afterwards, it will be back to the pre-2000 prices / fun right fellas?

[Frog85]

What's the situation in manila like recently? I have a hotel and flights book for end of April that I bought 3 months ago. Can't get in touch with the hotel to cancel or see how the situation is. Who's on the ground?

I am. I am in Shangri-la Fort. No restaurants, lounge or room service but Raging Bull is open for take outs. I booked the escort you guys were arguing about but because the hotel won't let new guests in (a guy stands by the elevators and checks everyone coming up) I had to book an AirBnB so I can spend time with her and booking an AirBnB was a pain in the ass too. Had to beg the owner to make it happen as most buildings got a strict policy at the moment. If you are not a guest before the lockdown, you really cannot get in. The AirBnb owner made it look like I was their relative and then I still had to prove to the building administration that I am working in BGC.

Restaurants are slowly starting to open and is available to order through lalafood and GrabExpress. Transport is still unavailable so you need to arrange for a car.

The only escorts I have been able to book are those with their own cars. Erin has a car and a driver so she's the only one I was able to see and another non-pro lady. It's a miserable time to be in Philippines.

[Mr Enternational]

What's the situation in manila like recently?

The situation in Manila is the same as every other place on the planet. There is a PANdemic right now. Maybe you can not get an answer at the hotel because it is closed.

[WestCoast1]

What's the situation in manila like recently? I have a hotel and flights book for end of April that I bought 3 months ago. Can't get in touch with the hotel to cancel or see how the situation is. Who's on the ground?

The NCR is in a deep lockdown state. Evening curfew. All malls, sports arenas, churches, entertainment venues (as in: our fav bars), and other gathering places have been closed. Grocery stores, pharmacies, and government offices are open. Most restaurants will be closed, or open for take-out only. Many Residences (condos and apartments) have stopped accepting new tenants during the lockdown period. Many have put a stop to bringing in guests. Someone posted a link here recently of an article online showing thousands of foreigners were expelled from their hotels in the NCR because their reservations had expired; at the end of their reservation the hotels booted them and would not allow them to re-occupy (many were quickly homeless as they would not be accepted at other hotels). Grocery stores are requiring customers to wait outside in a single-file line, social distancing, allowing 1 customer in as 1 customer goes out; it could take you half an hour or more in line to get inside. Get used to seeing the sign: "No mask, no entry". Get used to getting your food delivered from restaurants to your hotel / condo: Foodpanda or such delivery service.

Its possible your hotel is out of business. Google their phone number and dial them directly. Hopefully the lockdown goes away in mid-April.

[Goferring]

What's the situation in manila like recently? I have a hotel and flights book for end of April that I bought 3 months ago. Can't get in touch with the hotel to cancel or see how the situation is. Who's on the ground?

No International arrivals into Manila only CRK. VERY limited mobility for you and girls should you actually be able to arrive. Read the last few pages here for an indication of restricted hotel and condo access for girls.

Can you even get a flight into the country and return to your own? Most western countries have banned international departures and arrivals. The same for transit airports. You certainly won't be travelling via Japan, Singapore nor Hong Kong.

Full disclosure: I'm not actually in country now. I was due to be but had my flight cancelled. I've received full refunds or credit vouchers for all flights and hotels so I'm just going to delay my trip. I'd suggest you do the same.

Cheers. G.

[ThomKatt]

What's the situation in manila like recently? I have a hotel and flights book for end of April that I bought 3 months ago. Can't get in touch with the hotel to cancel or see how the situation is. Who's on the ground?