PH bans US travelers due to new COVID-19 variant

The Philippines has officially included the United States in its travel ban list due to the emergence of a new COVID-19 variant.

Foreign passengers coming from or who have been to the US within 14 days prior to arrival will be prohibited from entering the Philippines from January 3, 2021, 12:01 AM, Manila time, until January 15, 2021.

Philippine Airlines has advised foreign passengers from the US that they will not be accepted on flights to the country during this period.

Filipino citizens arriving from the US will be allowed entry but must undergo a 14-day facility-based quarantine.

All passengers from the US who will be allowed entry will also have to undergo RT-PCR testing upon arrival, and regardless of the result, will undergo the 14-day quarantine.

Returning overseas Filipinos may choose a quarantine hotel from the list of DOT-accredited hotels.

This measure aims to prevent the new coronavirus variant, first detected in the United Kingdom, from entering the country's borders.