TAKING cue from European nations, President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the suspension of flights from the United Kingdom to the Philippines starting Dec. 24 over fears of a new strain of the virus that causes COVID-19.
The flight suspension takes effect 12:01AM of Dec. 24, until Dec. 31.
“All passengers who have been in the UK within fourteen (14) days immediately preceding arrival to the Philippines, including those merely in transit, are also temporarily restricted from entering the country for the same period,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in a statement.
“On the other hand, passengers already in transit from the UK and all those who have been to the UK within 14 days immediately preceding arrival to the Philippines, who arrive before 12:01AM of December 24, 2020, shall not be subject to entry restriction but they would be required to undergo stricter quarantine and testing protocols,” he added.
These protocols include a 14-day quarantine at the Athlete’s Village in the New Clark City in Tarlac and a negative RT-PCR test result, Roque said.
“Outbound travel to the UK shall likewise be subject to the existing exit protocols of the Philippines and the UK,” he added.
UK scientists have identified a new variant of the coronavirus that appears to be more contagious than, and genetically distinct from, more established variants.
Initial studies of the new variant prompted British Prime Minister Boris Johnson to tighten restrictions over Christmas, and spurred officials in the Netherlands, Germany and other European countries to ban travel from the UK.