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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Prelate backs travel ban

Prelate backs travel ban

Published Jan 3, 2021 10:43 am

A Catholic prelate backs the government's imposition of a travel ban to guard against the new COVID-19 strain.

"It is a very good preventive measure and precautionary move for our best common good and necessary protection," Balanga Bishop Ruperto Santos said.

Bishop Ruperto Santos
(CBCP / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)

"All other countries have imposed that travel ban," he added.

The vice chairman of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines Episcopal Commission on Migrants and Itinerant People believes the move will be an effective step to contain the spread of the coronavirus strain.

"Now is the time for all of us to act as one, be united to eradicate this COVID-19 and to make the vaccines accessible especially to third world countries," said Santos.

The government last Dec. 29 imposed travel restrictions to Denmark, Ireland, Japan, Australia, Israel, The Netherlands, Hong Kong, Switzerland, France, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Lebanon, Singapore, Sweden, South Korea, South Africa, Canada, Spain, and United States after these countries were confirmed to have cases of the UK variant of the COVID-19.

It also extended the temporary suspension of flights and prohibition of entry on all travelers coming from the UK until Jan. 15.

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