MANILA, Jan 29 (NNN-PNA) – The Philippines will relax its ban on travellers, starting next month, from over 30 countries and regions, that have confirmed cases of more transmissible COVID-19 variants, presidential spokesman, Harry Roque, said today.
The ban on foreign travellers from 36 countries and regions, including Britain, China and the United States, ends on Jan 31. “The restriction remains until Jan 31, 2021, and would lapse after the date.”
The government clarified that, foreign nationals who are not allowed entry to the Philippines, as stated by previous orders, including those holding tourist visas, are still prohibited to enter the country.
Roque reiterated that travellers allowed entry still need to complete the 14-day quarantine.
On the same day, Roque announced, Philippine President, Rodrigo Duterte, retained the community quarantine for the capital city of Manila, until the end of Feb, to curb the spread of COVID-19.
Aside from Manila, Roque said, Duterte also placed a number of provinces across the country under the same restrictions. Many provinces in other parts of the country are put under more relaxed restrictions.
The Philippines has been put under varying degrees of lockdowns since mid-Mar last year.
The Philippines has tallied 519,575 infections, including 10,552 deaths.
