General Info

[WestCoast1]

Otherwise there are many BI offices through out PH. Many province BI offices are easy to get extension without long wait.

Go to BI website for locations. One time I extended in Davao and it was a very pleasant experience.

Extended in a Mindanao province recently. Decided to go early, when they opened up at 8 am. I was the only non-employee there. Filled out the form and dropped off the required documents, then sat and waited 5 minutes. Then I paid and got a receipt (1 hour processing), sat for another 5 minutes. Then a lady called my name and handed me back all my documents and the extension. "Have a good day sir". Thanks! Total less than 15 minutes. Not a single other customer walked in while I was there.

[Dg8787]

Guys, I have fucked up my next flights and will be departing on my 31st day.

Will I be able to sweet talk a 31 day VOA? If not, can I extend on arrival day at NAIA?

I paid the fine at NAIA Departure once before so am reluctant to do it again lest I make it on some undesirable overstayer list.

I'm hunting in the Province so getting back to a Immigration office for a 1 day extension is going to be a major PITA.

Ideas?

Thanks. G.

If I remember correctly, they do not count the day of entry. So you might be just 30 days there. Ask the immigration person for the date of your 30 days to be sure.

Otherwise there are many BI offices through out PH. Many province BI offices are easy to get extension without long wait.

Go to BI website for locations. One time I extended in Davao and it was a very pleasant experience.

[Goferring]

Guys, I have fucked up my next flights and will be departing on my 31st day.

Will I be able to sweet talk a 31 day VOA? If not, can I extend on arrival day at NAIA?

I paid the fine at NAIA Departure once before so am reluctant to do it again lest I make it on some undesirable overstayer list.

I'm hunting in the Province so getting back to a Immigration office for a 1 day extension is going to be a major PITA.

Ideas?

Thanks. G.

[Sxxxx]

Hi M S.

You are well informed.

As well, the Right mask only lasts MAX 4 hours!

The mask budget might exceed the mongering budget after some time LOL.
Vic.

And I have just learnt, the masks are made in Wuhan, home of the virus!

[VictorHugo99]

Hi M S.

You are well informed.

As well, the Right mask only lasts MAX 4 hours!

The mask budget might exceed the mongering budget after some time LOL.
Vic.

Yes correct again. Too many are wearing 'dust' masks which helps them nought in respect of viruses. Its psychological, people feel safer wearing what in effect are dust masks. Senior Health Experts say the only ones who need to wear the appropriate masks (N95 , P2 , where I come from), are those WITH the virus.

Lots have also bought the WRONG hand sanitizers from their local Supermarket. The Saniterzer has to have 60% or more alcohol content to be effective. The ones they are buying apply to germs, not viruses.

"Stay at home" says the Doctor. Not easy to do, LOL.

[Sxxxx]

Yes, but that is not the reason everybody else is wearing them. Besides that, they are not wearing the right kind.

Yes correct again. Too many are wearing 'dust' masks which helps them nought in respect of viruses. Its psychological, people feel safer wearing what in effect are dust masks. Senior Health Experts say the only ones who need to wear the appropriate masks (N95 , P2 , where I come from), are those WITH the virus.

Lots have also bought the WRONG hand sanitizers from their local Supermarket. The Saniterzer has to have 60% or more alcohol content to be effective. The ones they are buying apply to germs, not viruses.

"Stay at home" says the Doctor. Not easy to do, LOL.

[Mr Enternational]

If I was traveling international, I'd wear a face mask. It would prevent me from unconsciously scratching my nose / lips / lower face with possibly contaminated fingers; I'd have to remove the mask to do so. Which would remind me to sanitize first, or wash my hands.

Yes, but that is not the reason everybody else is wearing them. Besides that, they are not wearing the right kind.

[SaltyPete]

From CDC:

There is no health reason for a healthy person to wear a face mask.

Social media maybe the reason for people wearing them.

If I was traveling international, I'd wear a face mask. It would prevent me from unconsciously scratching my nose / lips / lower face with possibly contaminated fingers; I'd have to remove the mask to do so. Which would remind me to sanitize first, or wash my hands.

I'd wear glasses for the same protection for my eyes. It won't help against airborne pathogens would prevent me from rubbing the possible virus on my hands into my eyes.

So wearing a mask is high on the benefits / cost curve, and has no risk. Now, wearing gloves would be useless.

[PilotPaul]

Over the past several weeks on my United flights through Narita and Frankfurt, no United employees were masked. In the airports, most of Asiatics were masked, but very few westerners, whether they could get masks or not who knows. I bought a nice 3 M respirator (only $30) and actually wore it walking through the airport and on the plane (nrt-ewr) -- until mealtime. It's a nice little device, easy to wear and totally eliminates bad air smell in addition to virus (although as noted, virus can infect via the eyes, so get yourself protective googles, too.).

From CDC:

Follow CDC’s recommendations for using a facemask.
CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19.
Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others.

There is no health reason for a healthy person to wear a face mask.

Social media maybe the reason for people wearing them.

[Golfinho]

For that matter it is better to wear Hazmat suite. However there are infinite ways to catch the virus if there is a carrier on board.

Of course, do whatever works for you, and your peace of mind. In Manila airport, it's nice of them giving out free small plastic containers of virus killing liquid and blue soap. Every airport and every airline, like every person is just following their own rules here. No consistency or uniformity.

[Sammon]

Over the past several weeks on my United flights through Narita and Frankfurt, no United employees were masked. In the airports, most of Asiatics were masked, but very few westerners, whether they could get masks or not who knows. I bought a nice 3 M respirator (only $30) and actually wore it walking through the airport and on the plane (nrt-ewr) -- until mealtime. It's a nice little device, easy to wear and totally eliminates bad air smell in addition to virus (although as noted, virus can infect via the eyes, so get yourself protective googles, too.).

For that matter it is better to wear Hazmat suite. However there are infinite ways to catch the virus if there is a carrier on board.

[Mr Enternational]

I usually don't worry about things but corona has me a little freaked. The rising cases in Korea along with the amount of Korean tourists has me a little worried, but mostly it is flying. Anyone else leery about being on a plane for 15 hours? I always seem to be near someone sneezing or coughing and I can't get the thought out of my mind. I feel like a big pussy right now begging out on my trip. Am I alone?

Are you afraid of catching it en route or at your destination? You could just as well catch it at home too. There is nobody on the flights to worry about catching it in the air. And the people that are in planes are wearing masks. Don't know how they eat with them on though.

The other day I was talking to my mom. She said I should be in the States instead of Asia. I said no way. Things are just fine in this part of Asia. She said if I got sick it would be better to die at home. I told her that if I was dead it would not matter where I was. I told her she should come to Asia. The next day there were 2 cases announced in our city. She sent me a message joking saying she was on her way to Asia.

If it is your time then you are out of here. Haven't you seen the Final Destination series? Live it up and have fun while you are here. Don't let a little disease deter you.

[Golfinho]

Over the past several weeks on my United flights through Narita and Frankfurt, no United employees were masked. In the airports, most of Asiatics were masked, but very few westerners, whether they could get masks or not who knows. I bought a nice 3 M respirator (only $30) and actually wore it walking through the airport and on the plane (nrt-ewr) -- until mealtime. It's a nice little device, easy to wear and totally eliminates bad air smell in addition to virus (although as noted, virus can infect via the eyes, so get yourself protective googles, too.).

[Member #4698]

I usually don't worry about things but corona has me a little freaked. The rising cases in Korea along with the amount of Korean tourists has me a little worried, but mostly it is flying. Anyone else leery about being on a plane for 15 hours? I always seem to be near someone sneezing or coughing and I can't get the thought out of my mind. I feel like a big pussy right now begging out on my trip. Am I alone?

No you are not alone. Many people are canceling or delaying their trips. I personally think the risks are way overblown and hyped by the media so I have not cancelled my upcoming trip although with the decreased airline demand there is a possibility that my United flight through Tokyo may be cancelled or merged with others. I have my fingers crossed this does not happen, but we will see what we see.

As to fellow passengers sneezing & coughing on the plane: I hate that! But I believe that particular risk is way down from normal due to the extraordinary pre flight screening that is going on at all major international airports due to the virus. I also think the risk of catching the disease in the PI, Thailand, Vietnam, or Indonesia is significantly less than the risk of catching it in the Northern hemisphere like in Italy or the USA and I think that the risk in the North is low, but if you are nervous about it then cancel or postpone your trip. I am sure SE Asia will still be around when you decide it is safe. For me, I think it is relatively safe now and I am going unless new data hits the fan or my flight is cancelled. I think now is a really great time to be in SE ASia. I hear the girls are very lonely. LOL. I am in good health. I will take rational precautions just as I would to avoid the flu. I don't think there is much to worry about. I could be wrong, ha ha, but statistically, I don't think so.

[Docwiltro]

I usually don't worry about things but corona has me a little freaked. The rising cases in Korea along with the amount of Korean tourists has me a little worried, but mostly it is flying. Anyone else leery about being on a plane for 15 hours? I always seem to be near someone sneezing or coughing and I can't get the thought out of my mind. I feel like a big pussy right now begging out on my trip. Am I alone?

I have been reading the NY Times daily Coronavirus Briefing and the news coming out of China where most of the data is coming says that most infections are family related, and infections emanating from casual contact are the exception to the rule.

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