The government has extended the implementation of temporary travel restrictions of more than 30 countries until January 31 amid the new variant of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).
The Asian countries covered by the restricted travel are China, Hong Kong, India, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Lebanon, Oman, Pakistan, Singapore, South Korea, and United Arab Emirates.
Australia, South Africa, Brazil, the United States of America, Canada, and Jamaica are also covered by the travel ban. The European countries included in the list are Austria, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, and Hungary.
Foreign travelers from or transiting through the listed countries remain prohibited from entering the Philippines, but Filipinos will be allowed to return home subject to existing stringent health protocols.
“Inatasan ang Department of Transportation na maghigpit sa pagpapatupad ng issuances sa mga airline na magsasakay ng mga pasahero na mahigpit na pinagbabawal na makapasok sa Pilipinas (The Department of Transportation was ordered to be strict on the implementation of issuances to airlines carrying passengers prohibited to enter the Philippines),” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque stated.
“Sa kabilang banda, papalakasin ang contact tracing protocols kung saan isasama ang third generation contacts para sa known new variant cases (On the other hand, contact tracing protocols will be strengthened where third generation contacts for the known new variant cases will be included),” he concluded. – Report from Mela Lesmoras
