GMA News
Philippines urged to consider total travel ban amid Omicron variant
Dr. Tony Leachon, a former health adviser, advised the national government to impose a total travel ban on all countries to prevent the transmission of the Omicron variant.
This recommendation comes after the Department of Health confirmed two Omicron cases from international travelers.
Leachon suggested the Philippines emulate Israel's policy of closing its borders to all countries to halt the spread of Omicron.
He noted that Omicron is mild but highly transmissible, and many Filipinos are expected to return to the country.
Leachon also urged the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases to reconsider quarantine policies for inbound travelers, suggesting a 21-day quarantine as an alternative to a travel ban.
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See how different news organizations are covering this story. Below are the original articles from various Philippine news sources that contributed to this summary.
France has been added to the Philippines' red list from December 10 to 15 due to concerns over the Omicron variant of COVID-19.
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The Philippines confirmed its first two imported cases of the Omicron variant of COVID-19, one from Japan and another from Nigeria.
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The Department of Health (DOH) has located five more travelers who arrived from South Africa, leaving only two individuals yet to be found.
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The Philippines confirmed its third case of the Omicron variant of COVID-19, a 36-year-old sea-based Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) who arrived from Qatar on November 28 via Qatar Airways Flight QR 924.
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The OCTA research group warned of a potential serious surge in COVID-19 cases in the Philippines if the Omicron variant enters the country.
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