THE NAIA-Inter Agency Task Force is having a hard time in facilitating newly arrived overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and non-OFWs, due to lack of quarantine facilities for the 14-day mandatory quarantine amid a reported new strain of COVID-19 variant.
It was learned from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) assigned the task at the NAIA terminal 2 that the quarantine facilities are now limited due to the influx of repatriated OFWs arriving from 33 countries.
Earlier, the government imposed a travel ban, except for OFWs, on travelers from the United Kingdom, Denmark, Ireland, Japan, Australia, Israel, The Netherlands, Hong Kong SAR, Switzerland, France, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Lebanon, Singapore, Sweden, South Korea, South Africa, Canada, Spain, and the United States.
Later included were Portugal, India, Finland, Norway, Jordan, Brazil, Austria and Oman. The travel restriction for aliens arriving from these countries will take effect until January 15.
Some of the government quarantine areas are now in full capacity especially in New Clark City in Pampanga, Batangas, Tagaytay and in Cavite area, while in Metro Manila, only two motels are approved by the government as Oplan Kalinga Centers for arriving OFWs, where accommodation and food are given free.
The passengers or OFWs have the option to go to another hotel but they will have to shoulder the expenses.
