Philippines extends journey ban, techniques up safeguards over COVID-19 variant
MANILA (Reuters) – The Philippines on Friday prolonged by two months a ban on tourists from additional than 30 territories and nations around the world wherever a much more transmissible COVID-19 variant has been detected, with the restriction also now masking Filipinos who want to arrive residence.
The Southeast Asian state, which has recorded its initially scenario of a new variant that was very first observed in Britain, has the 2nd best amount of COVID-19 scenarios and casualties in Southeast Asia, next to Indonesia.
The flight ban, which has been expanded from the first 19 nations and territories and was at first imposed for two weeks until finally Jan. 15, will now be in influence until finally Jan. 31, Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque claimed in a assertion.
The prohibition also now handles tourists from China starting up Jan. 13, and the United States commencing Jan. 3.
While the British variant was uncovered to be virtually 70% much more transmissible than the original one particular, there is no proof however that it is more harmful.
The flight ban now addresses all vacationers coming from or transiting through the flagged international locations, which also include things like Japan, Australia, Israel, Hong Kong, France, Germany and Italy, the statement reported.
Formerly Filipinos from individuals parts ended up authorized to arrive dwelling on condition that they underwent a 14-day quarantine in a federal government-selected isolation facility.
Roque stated exemptions to the entry limitations may be issued by the government’s coronavirus activity force.
(Reporting by Enrico Dela Cruz Modifying by Ed Davies)
