President Rodrigo Duterte has included foreign travelers from the United States barred from entering the Philippines to prevent the entry of a new variant of the coronavirus, Malacañang announced Friday.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said Duterte’s decision was based on the recommendations of the Health and Foreign Affairs departments, as he backtracked from a previous statement that travelers from the US are not restricted from going to the Philippines.
In his latest statement Friday, Roque said foreign passengers who came from the US or who have been there within 14 days before arriving in the Philippines will not be allowed entry starting 12:01 a.m., Jan. 3, 2021 (Manila time) until Jan. 15, 2021.
But effective immediately, passengers coming from the US, or who have been in the States within 14 days before arriving in the country before 12:01 of Jan. 3, 2021 (Manila time) will be allowed to enter the Philippines but will be required to undergo a 14-day quarantine “even if they obtain a negative RT-PCR test result.”
This rule also applies to Filipino citizens, Roque said.
Duterte earlier prohibited from entering the country—from 12:01 a.m. of Dec. 30, 2020 until Jan. 15, 2021—all foreign travelers coming from or transiting through, the following 19 territories, or who have been to these places 14 days before arrival in the Philippines:
- Denmark
- Ireland
- Japan
- Australia
- Israel
- The Netherlands
- Hong Kong, SAR
- Switzerland
- France
- Germany
- Iceland
- Italy
- Lebanon
- Singapore
- Sweden
- South Korea
- South Africa
- Canada
- Spain
The Office of the President also extended the suspension of flights from, and the prohibition of entry on all travelers coming from or transiting through, the United Kingdom until Jan. 15.
The Department of Foreign Affairs on Friday strongly advised travelers coming from or transiting through countries where there are reported cases of the new COVID-19 variant to postpone their trips to the Philippines.
“The DFA strongly advises that all travelers to the country carefully reconsider their travel plans, including postponing their trips until after the end of the travel restrictions to avoid personal inconvenience and possible additional expenses, as well as help prevent the incidence of the new COVID-19 strain in the country,” it said in a statement.
The DFA also reminded all overseas Filipinos of the limited quarantine facilities in place “and are thus strongly urged to reconsider” travel plans to the Philippines for the duration of the travel restrictions, which is set to end on Jan. 15, 2021.
It said those entering the country from affected countries and jurisdiction are also reminded they will be required to undergo and complete a strict mandatory 14-day quarantine at a Department of Health-approved facility, regardless of negative RT-PCR result.
The DFA also emphasized that non-Filipino nationals coming from the concerned countries and jurisdiction, regardless of previous visa status, exemptions granted, or relation to Filipino citizens, will temporarily be restricted from entering the Philippines.
“As always, the DFA reminds travelers to always check ahead of travel dates with their airlines before departure or before booking a ticket as information published could change at any time,” it said.