THE Department of Health has yet to monitor new COVID-19 strain but the government’s COVID-19 task force would not want to be caught flat-footed and hinted on discussing it in its agenda.
In a news conference, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque assured the public that the country has enough mechanisms in identifying infected travelers.
“Sa ngayon po in place pa naman ‘yung ating mga protocols para sa lahat ng mga pumapasok ng Pilipinas kasama po ang mandatory quarantine habang inaantay po ang resulta ng kanilang PCR test,” Roque said at a news conference in Davao City.
As of this posting several countries have imposed a ban on the entry of flights coming from the United Kingdom, where a suspected new virus strain has been spotted. Britain likewise issued a statement which described the new strain as “out of control.”
Interestingly, scientists said there is still no evidence that the strain is more likely to cause severe infections, in reaction to the decision of the UK government to scrap the planned relaxation of coronavirus restrictions for Christmas following the steep rise in new cases.
Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said Monday that they have not yet monitored the new strain in the Philippines, adding that there is no need to impose stricter travel restrictions given that the country only allows entry for diplomats, individuals with businesses in the Philippines and Filipino citizens.
THE Department of Health has yet to monitor new COVID-19 strain but the government’s COVID-19 task force would not want to be caught flat-footed and hinted on discussing it in its agenda.
In a news conference, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque assured the public that the country has enough mechanisms in identifying infected travelers.
“Sa ngayon po in place pa naman ‘yung ating mga protocols para sa lahat ng mga pumapasok ng Pilipinas kasama po ang mandatory quarantine habang inaantay po ang resulta ng kanilang PCR test,” Roque said at a news conference in Davao City.
As of this posting several countries have imposed a ban on the entry of flights coming from the United Kingdom, where a suspected new virus strain has been spotted. Britain likewise issued a statement which described the new strain as “out of control.”
Interestingly, scientists said there is still no evidence that the strain is more likely to cause severe infections, in reaction to the decision of the UK government to scrap the planned relaxation of coronavirus restrictions for Christmas following the steep rise in new cases.
Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said Monday that they have not yet monitored the new strain in the Philippines, adding that there is no need to impose stricter travel restrictions given that the country only allows entry for diplomats, individuals with businesses in the Philippines and Filipino citizens.