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DOH: List of countries part of travel ban vs. new coronavirus variant to be updated regularly
The Department of Health (DoH) confirmed on January 2, 2021, that the new COVID-19 variant first detected in the United Kingdom has not yet been found in the Philippines.
All positive RT-PCR specimens from countries with confirmed UK variant cases will undergo genome sequencing.
The travel ban currently covers 20 countries where the new and more contagious variant of SARS-CoV-2 has been detected.
The list of countries covered by the travel ban will be updated regularly as more nations report the presence of the variant.
A country may be included in the ban if its government officially reports the detection of the new variant.
The DoH stated that unofficial reports, including those from media outlets, cannot be used as a basis for recommending travel restrictions.
The DoH is collaborating with other agencies to enhance border surveillance and ensure strict control measures at all ports of entry.
Travelers from countries not covered by the ban will be endorsed to local government units after testing negative for COVID-19, and are urged to complete their 14-day quarantine.
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The Department of Health (DOH) has recommended a 14-day travel ban on countries that have detected the new, more contagious COVID-19 variant, in addition to the United Kingdom.
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The Philippines has expanded its travel ban to include six more countries, Portugal, India, Finland, Norway, Jordan, and Brazil, bringing the total number of restricted countries to 27.
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The Philippines has officially included the United States in its travel ban list due to the emergence of a new COVID-19 variant.
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The Philippine government has extended the temporary suspension of flights from, and the prohibition of entry of travelers coming from or transiting through the United Kingdom until January 15, 2021.
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Out of 3,684 individuals who returned to the Philippines between December 22, 2020, and January 3, 2021, 74 travelers tested positive for COVID-19, resulting in a 2 percent positivity rate.
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