President Duterte will be cutting his Christmas vacation short to meet with the government’s pandemic task force and other experts to discuss the new COVID-19 strain, Malacañang announced Friday.
In a text message, Presidential spokesman Harry Roque confirmed that Duterte called on the Inter-agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases and other infectious diseases experts for a meeting on December 26.
According to Roque, the meeting will take place at the Malago Clubhouse in Malacañang.
President Duterte’s long-time aide Senator Bong Go likewise confirmed about the sudden meeting, adding that the Chief Executive was “very concerned” about the recent development about the pandemic.
“Manila po sa Malacañang. Cut short muna namin Christmas break,” he said.
On Wednesday, President Duterte approved the temporary suspension of flights from the United Kingdom (UK) from December 24 to 31 following reports of a new variant of COVID-19 known as B.1.1.7 spreading across the European nation.
All passengers who have been in the UK within 14 days immediately preceding arrival to the Philippines, including those merely in transit, are also temporarily restricted from entering the country for the same period.
On the other hand, passengers already in transit from the UK and all those who have been to the UK within 14 days immediately preceding arrival to the Philippines, who arrive before December 24, 2020, shall not be subject to entry restriction but they would be required to undergo stricter quarantine and testing protocols.
According to Roque, such protocols include the observation of an absolute 14-day quarantine period at the Athlete’s Village in the New Clark City, notwithstanding a negative RT-PCT test result.
Outbound travel to the UK shall likewise be subject to the existing exit protocols of the Philippines and the UK.
The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that the said seemingly more contagious strain or variant was identified in southeastern England as early as September, prompting health officials in the UK to impose stricter limits on movement and public spaces. (Argyll Geducos)
