Manila Bulletin
DOH eyes stricter border control for inbound travelers from Middle East
The Department of Health (DOH) will recommend stricter border control for inbound travelers from the Middle East.
This recommendation comes after the Philippines recorded two cases of the B.1.617 variant of coronavirus.
The two individuals who tested positive for the variant arrived from Oman and the United Arab Emirates.
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III stated that these cases did not transmit the virus locally due to strict border protocols, quarantine, isolation, and testing measures.
The country currently has a travel ban on India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh.
The B.1.617 variant has been detected in 42 countries worldwide.
The Philippines has also detected other variants, including B.1.1.7 (UK), B.1.351 (South Africa), P.1 (Brazil), and P.3.
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The Philippines has confirmed the detection of the B.1.617 coronavirus variant, first identified in India, announcing two cases in the country.
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The Philippine government is implementing measures to prevent the entry of the highly transmissible 'double mutant' COVID-19 variant originating from India.
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The Philippine government has extended its travel ban on travelers from India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka until May 31.
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The Department of Health (DOH) confirmed 10 additional cases of the B.1.617.2 COVID-19 variant, also known as the Indian variant, bringing the total to 12.
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The Department of Health (DOH) confirmed that the B.1.617 coronavirus variant, first identified in India, has not yet been detected in the Philippines.
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