PH extends travel ban to May 31 amid new COVID-19 variant concerns

Updated Sun, May 16, 2021 at 2:32 PM Published Fri, May 14, 2021 at 12:17 AM

The Philippine government has extended its travel ban on travelers from India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka until May 31.

The travel ban was expanded to include Oman and the United Arab Emirates starting May 15 due to the detection of the B.1.617.2 COVID-19 variant in OFWs from these countries.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque stated that the travel restrictions were upon the recommendation of the Department of Health and the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Individuals arriving from Oman and the UAE before May 15 are still allowed entry but must undergo a mandatory 14-day quarantine.

These travel restrictions are part of the country's efforts to prevent the entry of the B.1.617.2 variant, classified as a variant of concern by the WHO.

The Philippines has so far recorded 12 cases of the B.1.617.2 variant, most of whom were seafarers, and all have since recovered after completing quarantine.

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