BY ARGYLL GEDUCOS
The Philippines has extended its travel ban on travelers from 32 countries until Jan. 31 due to new COVID-19 variants, presidential spokesman Harry Roque announced Friday.
Foreigners from the following countries will not be allowed to enter the Philippines until the end of the month: United Kingdom, Denmark, Ireland, Japan, Australia, Israel, The Netherlands, China including Hong Kong, Switzerland, France, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Lebanon, Singapore, Sweden, South Korea, South Africa, Canada, Spain, United States of America, Portugal, India, Finland, Norway, Jordan, Brazil, Austria, Pakistan, Jamaica, Luxembourg, and Oman The ban, however, does not include the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
According to Roque, President Duterte will be the one to announce if UAE should be included in the travel ban.
“The President will be the one to declare that, if ever. (The) List is for extension of restrictions and not for new,” he said.
Malacañang said Thursday that the inclusion of the UAE in the travel ban was likely following the detection of the UK variant in a Filipino who traveled from the Arab nation.
Meanwhile, Filipinos from countries included in the ban will still be allowed to enter the Philippines.
The Inter-agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases directed the Department of Transportation (DoTr) to strictly implement issuances against airlines that allow the boarding of passengers who are prohibited from entering the Philippines.
The IATF, in coordination with other agencies, may issue implementing guidelines on the exemptions to these entry restrictions.