Various new sites and announcements from Philippine government officials forced the wider Philippine travel ban. What's the truth behind it? We'll be uncovering that in a bit. But...
What is their goal? – to prevent the spread of the new strand of the infamous COVID-19 virus, which is seen to be deadlier and more contagious.
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To give you a brief backstory of what happened, a new variant of the COVID-19 has been seen in the United Kingdom (U.K.). Then, news from other parts of the world fled; and it has been reported to have spread in other parts of world, including:
- Australia
- The Netherlands
- Iceland
- Denmark
- Italy
The new variant of the coronavirus, named to be the VUI 202012/01, has been detected first in the UK. This was what prompted our country to cancel, hold, and suspend flights from the UK.
This'll run until the second (2nd) week of January.
Read: House-to-House COVID-19 Checks? No, Says Malacañang
What's worse with the VUI 202012/01 is that it can easily be transmitted. In comparison to the other variants of the coronavirus, it contains the highest chances of being transmitted.
What We Know Of the Philippine Travel Ban
The holidays can't get any worse because of what has happened this year. But, we can't be more thankful that we're still safe.
Following the cries of a lot of people, our dearest President Rodrigo Duterte put a stop on travelers entering our country starting today (December 30, 2020 at 12:01 A.M.), until the 15th of January, 2021.
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As per the directive, the Philippine travel ban applies to everyone who are:
- Foreign travelers coming from other countries;
- Travelers who are transiting through; or
- Travelers who have been to these countries/places in the past 2 weeks (14) days before arriving at the country
Here are the countries that are prohibited from entering the Philippines due to the newly-imposed travel ban:
- Spain
- South Korea
- South Africa
- Singapore
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Germany
- Canada
- Ireland
- Israel
- France
- Italy
- Lebanon
- Japan
- Denmark
- Iceland
- Hong Kong (SAR)
- The Netherlands
- United States
How About Flight Suspension?
According to the most recent news, President Rodrigo Duterte also made an extension on the suspension of flights who would be traveling to and fro the UK, or just transiting through until the 15th of January, 2021.
Read: Children Without COVID-19 Symptoms Might be Spreading it, as Study Suggests
The date has been set – but there are several questions that some people can't resist to ask!
One of which would be if a passenger is already in transit going to the Philippines and is set to arrive on or before 12:01 A.M. of December 30th, 2021, would they still be prohibited?
The answer is no. They wouldn't be stopped from entering the country.
Harry Roque, the Presidential Spokesperson, said that these people might be allowed. However, they would be required to undergo a 14-day quarantine period.
However, they shall be required to undergo an absolute facility-based 14-day quarantine period, notwithstanding a negative RT-PCR test result."
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Restrictions to Travelers Coming to the Philippines From Other Countries
In other news, it has been announced that President Duterte's office might impose certain restrictions to travelers who would be coming from other countries.
This is in response to several reports that there is a new strand or variant of the infamous COVID-19.
As part of the Philippine travel ban, Roque said that outbound or outside travels from the PH to other countries will be subject to the current protocols of the country.
Outbound travel to countries with reported new variants shall be subject to the exiting protocols of the Philippines and the entry protocols of the respective countries."
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OFWs' Exemptions
As regards our Overseas Filipino Workers or OFWs, Roque made it clear that the President wants OFWs to be exempted from the ban.
However, they would have to undergo the strict 14-day quarantine before they can be with their families again.
Except for OFWs. ’Yun ang gusto ng pangulo na ang mga OFWs, ang mga kababayan natin hayaan silang makapasok but they will have to undergo strict 14-day quarantine."
In Translation: Except for OFWs. That's what the President wants; he wants our OFWs, our countrymen to be able to enter the country. But, they'd have to go under a strict 14-day quarantine.
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What do you think about the Philippine travel ban that runs until the 15th of January? Would this really keep us safe and sound? Is the 17-day travel ban enough for us not to worry about the newest variant of the coronavirus?
Let's wait for further announcement as to how this would all play out.
Source/s: CNN Philippines | ABS-CBN News
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