PH bans travelers from 4 countries to prevent 'double mutant' variant

The Philippine government is taking steps to prevent the entry of the 'double mutant' coronavirus variant first detected in India.

Malacañang assured the public that all measures are being taken to stop or delay the entry of this variant.

Five passengers from India who recently entered the country have tested positive for COVID-19, and their samples are currently being assessed for new variants including B.1.617.

The Philippines has banned travelers from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka from May 7 to May 14 to curb the spread of this variant.

All Filipino passengers coming from these countries within 14 days before arrival will be required to undergo a 14-day quarantine despite having negative RT-PCR results.

The DOH reported that no local cases of the B.1.617 variant have been detected in the Philippines, but incoming passengers with travel history to India are quarantined and monitored.