Philippines expands travel ban to limit spread of coronavirus variant

Philippines expands travel ban to limit spread of coronavirus variant

Philippines expands travel ban to limit spread of coronavirus variant

an hour ago

Airport personnel monitor a thermal scanner as passengers arrive at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay, Philippines. File/Reuters

The Philippines will ban travellers from 19 countries and territories until mid-January as a measure to keep out a new variant of the coronavirus, its transport ministry said on Tuesday.

The regulation will be in effect from midnight of Dec.29 to Jan.15 and covers Filipinos and foreigners arriving from the "flagged countries,“ the transport ministry told reporters in a group text message.

The Philippines previously imposed and later extended a flight ban from Britain until mid-January as the more contagious variant of the COVID-19 virus was first detected in England.

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