Travelers from Omicron-hit countries test negative for COVID-19

The Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ) reported that most travelers who arrived in the Philippines from Omicron-affected countries like South Africa, Burkina Faso, and Egypt are currently under quarantine and have not shown any COVID-19 symptoms so far.

BOQ Deputy Director Roberto Salvador Jr. stated that they are coordinating with the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to ensure close monitoring of these individuals.

Between November 15 and November 29, the country recorded 253 travelers from South Africa, three from Burkina Faso, and 541 from Egypt, with three individuals testing positive for COVID-19.

Malacañang is awaiting the results of genome sequencing on the samples from these three travelers to confirm if they are infected with the Omicron variant.

The Omicron variant, first identified in South Africa, has been designated a variant of concern by the World Health Organization (WHO).