PH suspends UK flights due to new COVID-19 variant

The Philippines has temporarily suspended all flights from the United Kingdom from December 24 to December 31, 2020, due to concerns over a new variant of SARS-CoV-2.

President Rodrigo Duterte approved the flight suspension, which also applies to passengers who have been in the UK within the 14 days preceding their arrival.

Passengers arriving from the UK before the suspension takes effect will still be allowed entry but must undergo a 14-day quarantine in Tarlac City regardless of their COVID-19 test results.

Department of Health Secretary Francisco Duque III stated that the new variant has a higher transmission rate but there is no evidence of increased severity or impact on vaccine efficacy.

The Philippine Genome Center, RITM, and UP-NIH are tasked with studying the new strain, which has not yet been detected in the Philippines.

Duque expressed the government's desire to avoid another spike in cases that could lead to extensive lockdowns and negatively impact families, healthcare workers, and businesses.