PH removes South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe from green list

The Philippine government has removed South Africa, Namibia, and Zimbabwe from its green list, indicating a shift in COVID-19 risk assessment for these nations.

This decision by the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) comes after the approval of a temporary suspension on inbound international flights from South Africa, Botswana, and other countries with a high likelihood of the B.1.1.529 coronavirus variant.

Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles clarified that the flight suspension resolution supersedes the earlier green list classification for South Africa, Namibia, and Zimbabwe.

The temporary suspension of inbound international flights from Namibia, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Eswatini, and Mozambique is effective immediately and will last until December 15, 2021.

Previously, these countries were considered low-risk for COVID-19 transmission and were included in the Philippines' green list.

Separately, travel restrictions on the Faroe Islands and the Netherlands continue until December 15, with a future decision pending from the IATF on whether to extend or lift them.