Philippine News Agency
PRRD, Go cut short Xmas break over new Covid-19 strain
President Rodrigo Duterte has cut short his Christmas vacation to meet with the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) and infectious disease experts regarding the new, more infectious SARS-CoV-2 strain originating from the United Kingdom.
The meeting is scheduled for Saturday, with Senator Christopher Go confirming the President's concern over the new variant.
In addition to discussing the UK strain, President Duterte is also set to sign the P4.5 trillion national budget bill on Monday.
The Philippines had previously ordered a temporary suspension of flights from the UK from December 24 to December 31.
All passengers who have been to the UK in the last 14 days, including transiting travelers, are temporarily restricted from entering the Philippines.
Over 50 countries have also suspended flights from Britain to contain the spread of the new COVID-19 variant.
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President Rodrigo Duterte has directed the Department of Health and the Department of Science and Technology to form a new task force composed of health experts to address the new COVID-19 variant.
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The Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases is set to discuss protocols for a new and more infectious COVID-19 strain that has emerged in the United Kingdom.
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President Rodrigo Duterte stated that the Philippines might revert to a lockdown if the new COVID-19 variant, initially found in the UK, enters and spreads within the country.
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President Rodrigo Duterte has expanded the travel ban to 20 countries where a more infectious strain of COVID-19 has been detected.
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President Rodrigo Duterte has revoked his order allowing the pilot implementation of face-to-face classes in select areas due to the new strain of COVID-19.
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