China, which already reported the emergence of a mutated COVID-19 strain, has remained out of the list of countries restricted to enter the Philippines as Malacañang offered an explanation.
In a press briefing, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said the Philippines is still waiting for official confirmation from reputable international agencies.
“Hintayin po natin ang confirmation at kung mayroon naman pong confirmation ay isasali rin sila sa listahan. As of now, wala pa pong confirmation,” Roque told reporters.
On January 1, China’s state-run broadcaster CGTN reported that the new variant was detected in a female student returning to China from the United Kingdom, where the variant was initially discovered, citing the Chinese Center for Disease Control.
The student was screened for COVID-19 in Shanghai on December 14, the report added.
The Philippines first imposed travel restrictions on the UK over the more infectious coronavirus variant on December 24. Among the countries in the list are Denmark, Ireland, Japan, Australia, Israel, Netherlands, Hong Kong, Switzerland, France, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Lebanon, Singapore, Sweden, South Korea, South Africa, Canada, Spain, United States, Portugal, India, Finland, Norway, Jordan and Brazil.
However, Filipino citizens from these countries will still be allowed to enter the Philippines as long as they undergo screening for COVID-19 and facility-based quarantine. The travel restrictions will last until January 15.
The Department of Health said the new variant has not yet been detected in the Philippines.
Hong Kong authorities, however, have reported that a passenger from the Philippines has been identified as having tested positive for the UK variant of COVID-19.