The Philippines will be temporarily closing its borders to travelers from India to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease.
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque announced the restrictions on travelers from India will be implemented from April 29 to May 14, 2021.
The two-week tighter border control covering travelers including Filipinos coming from India was approved by President Duterte upon the recommendation of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Roque said.
"All travelers coming from India or those with travel history to India within the last fourteen (14) days preceding arrival shall be prohibited from entering the Philippines beginning 0001H of April 29, 2021, until May 14, 2021," he said in a statement Tuesday, April. 27.
Roque said passengers already in transit from India and those who arriving before Thursday, April 29, will be required to undergo stricter quarantine and testing protocols. These travelers must observe an "absolute" 14-day quarantine at a facility despite getting a negative test result for the coronavirus.
He also said the Office of the President may also impose restrictions on travelers from other countries that report the new coronavirus strain upon the joint recommendation of the Department of Health and the Department of Foreign Affairs.
"The Department of Transportation should ensure that airlines are directed not to allow the boarding of passengers entering the country pursuant to travel restrictions imposed by the Office of the President and IATF resolutions except if they are part of the repatriation efforts of the national government," he said.
India continued to grapple with a record-breaking coronavirus outbreak following the detection of a double mutant strain of the coronavirus. The surge in coronavirus cases has reportedly threatened to cripple the healthcare system in India.