PH extends travel ban to Jan 31 due to new COVID-19 variant

The Philippines extended travel restrictions on over 30 countries until January 31, 2021, to prevent the entry of a new and more transmissible COVID-19 variant.

The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) approved the extension, with Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque confirming the travel restrictions on more than 30 countries.

The list of restricted countries includes the UK, Denmark, Ireland, Japan, Australia, Israel, the Netherlands, China, Hong Kong, Switzerland, France, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Lebanon, Singapore, Sweden, South Korea, South Africa, Canada, Spain, the United States, Portugal, India, Finland, Norway, Jordan, Brazil, Austria, Pakistan, Jamaica, Luxembourg, and Oman.

Studies found that the UK variant is nearly 70 percent more transmissible than the original Covid-19 variant, though there is no evidence yet that it is deadlier.

The new variant was detected in a 29-year-old Filipino male who arrived home from the United Arab Emirates on January 7.

Filipino citizens are allowed to enter the Philippines but must undergo screening for COVID-19 and a 14-day facility-based quarantine.

Non-Filipino travelers from the restricted countries are prohibited from entering the Philippines.