Six more countries have been included in the list of nations covered by the travel restrictions until mid-January to curb the spread of the new coronavirus strain, Malacañang announced Wednesday.
“The Office of the President, upon the joint recommendation of the Department of Health and the Department of Foreign Affairs, included Portugal, India, Finland, Norway, Jordan, and Brazil as among the countries/jurisdictions subject to travel restrictions,” Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said.
“In this regard, foreign passengers coming from or who have been to Portugal, India, Finland, Norway, Jordan, and Brazil within 14 days immediately preceding arrival in the Philippines, shall be prohibited from entering the country effective January 8, 2021, 12:01 a.m., Manila time, until January 15, 2021,” he added.
The government had earlier barred the entry of foreign travelers from 21 countries, including the United Kingdom where the new COVID-19 strain was detected, until mid-January. The list includes United Kingdom, United States, Denmark, Ireland, Japan, Australia, Israel, The Netherlands, Hong Kong, Switzerland, France, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Lebanon, Singapore, Sweden, South Korea, South Africa, Canada and Spain. Exempted from the travel restrictions are returning Filipinos, foreign diplomats and dignitaries provided they undergo coronavirus testing and facility-based quarantine for 14 days.
The new coronavirus variant, which is said to be more contagious, has already spread to several countries, forcing governments to tighten border control and lockdown measures.
Roque said foreign passengers from the six countries who arrive before Jan. 8 12:01 a.m. will be allowed to enter the country. These visitors however must undergo14-day quarantine period despite having a negative test result.
“Also, effective immediately, Filipino citizens coming from, or who have been to the abovementioned countries/jurisdictions, within 14 days immediately preceding arrival in the Philippines, including those arriving after January 8, 2021, 12:01 a.m., Manila time, shall be allowed to enter the Philippines,” Roque said.
“However, they shall be required to undergo an absolute facility-based 14-day quarantine period, even if they obtain a negative RT-PCR test result,” he said.
Filipino and foreign passengers who are transiting through these countries will also be covered by the rules as provided for in a Palace memorandum issued last month.
Rules on unaccompanied minor Filipinos
Roque said the Office of the President has set rules on unaccompanied minor Filipino passengers.
Starting Jan. 8, 12:01 a.m., all unaccompanied minor Filipino citizens coming from countries/jurisdictions where travel restrictions are in place on account of the new variant of COVID-19, shall not be allowed entry until January 15, 2021. Exempted are minors returning through the repatriation program of the national government.
“These repatriated minors shall be turned over to the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration house parent who, in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), shall ensure the minors’ safety and their observance of quarantine protocols,” Roque said.
Roque also said unaccompanied Filipino minors who are not part of the repatriation program arriving before Jan. 8, shall be turned over to an authorized DSWD officer to ensure their safety and observance to quarantine protocols.