The Philippine government has included Pakistan, Jamaica, Luxembourg, Oman and China to the list of countries subject to travel restrictions until tomorrow (January 15), according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). The announcement, shared by the Philippine embassy in Doha on its Facebook page, forms part of the advisories issued by DFA based on memoranda from the Executive Secretary on the regulation of entry for travelers from or transiting through areas that have reported incidence of the new coronavirus (Covid-19) variant.
The Malacanang Palace memorandum was issued on January 12 and as such, the DFA reiterates its earlier advisories regarding the travel restriction:
- All overseas Filipinos are reminded 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 tomorrow January 15, without prejudice to the extension of such period upon approval of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF);
-Those entering the Philippines from, or who have been to, the affected countries and jurisdiction in the last 14 days are also reminded that 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.
- For the period of the restrictions, foreign nationals who have directly come from or who have entered the concerned countries and jurisdiction within the last 14 days from date of arrival in the Philippines will temporarily be restricted from entering the Philippines. This applies notwithstanding previous visa status, past IATF approval of exemptions and relation to Filipino citizens.
The DFA once again calls for all travellers to the country to 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 variant in the country.
As always, the DFA reminds travellers 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.
Foreign and Filipino travellers urged to delay visiting Philippines
