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PH restricts travel from US due to COVID-19 variant

Department of Foreign Affairs
Department of Foreign Affairs

THE United States was added to the list of countries being subjected to travel restrictions due to the reported incidence there of the new COVID variant, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) yesterday said.

In a statement, the DFA said “Further to the advisory issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on 31 December 2020 based on the Malacañang Palace Memorandum issued on 29 December 2020[1] on the regulation of entry for travelers from or transiting through areas that have reported incidence of the new COVID-19 variant, the public is informed of additional measures pertaining to the inclusion of the United States among countries subject to travel restrictions, and information for passengers transiting concerned areas, as directed by Malacañang Palace Memorandum issued on 31 December 2020, which may be accessed here: https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2020/12/29/memorandum-from-the-executive-secretary-on-additional-measures-to-be-observed-relative-to-the-sars-cov-2-variant-detected-in-the-united-kingdom/.”

The DFA reiterated its earlier advisory regarding the travel restriction:

All overseas Filipinos are reminded of the limited quarantine facilities in place and are thus strongly urged to reconsider travel plans to the Philippines for the duration of the travel restrictions, which is set to end on 15 January 2021;

Those entering the Philippines from the affected countries and jurisdiction are also reminded that they will be required to undergo and complete a strict mandatory 14-day quarantine at a DOH-approved facility, regardless of negative RT-PCR result.

For the period of the restrictions, foreign nationals who have directly come from or who have entered the concerned countries and jurisdiction within the last 14 days from date of arrival in the Philippines (with 3 January 2021 as effectivity date for passengers from the US) will temporarily be restricted from entering the Philippines. This applies notwithstanding previous visa status, past IATF approval of exemptions and relation to Filipino citizens.

The DFA again called for all travelers to the country to carefully reconsider their travel plans, including postponing their trips until after the end of the travel restrictions to avoid personal inconvenience and possible additional expenses as well as help prevent the incidence of the new COVID-19 variant in the country.

“As always, the DFA reminds travelers to always check ahead of travel dates with their airlines before departure or before booking a ticket as information published could change at any time,” it added.