PH suspends UK flights until Dec 31 amid new COVID-19 strain

The Philippines has suspended inbound flights from the United Kingdom from December 24 to December 31, 2020, due to a new and rapidly spreading coronavirus strain.

President Rodrigo Duterte approved the recommendation of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) to implement this suspension.

All passengers who have been in the UK within 14 days prior to arrival are also temporarily restricted from entering the country.

Passengers already in transit from the UK arriving before December 24 will be allowed to enter the Philippines, but will undergo stricter mandatory quarantine and testing protocols for 14 days.

Those arriving at NAIA will be isolated at NAIA, while those arriving at Clark International Airport will be quarantined at the Athlete's Village in New Clark City.

The new coronavirus variant, first identified in September, is reportedly 70% more infectious than other strains, and has prompted similar flight bans from over 40 countries worldwide.