PRESIDENTIAL spokesperson Harry Roque spoke on Tuesday, but not on President Rodrigo Duterte’s thoughts. He actually wished that the Philippine closes its doors on the United Kingdom amid the reported resurgence of a new and much dangerous coronavirus strain.
In a news conference, Roque cited the need for the Philippine government to consider imposing a travel ban on the United Kingdom in view of concerns about the new COVID-19 strain that has been spreading in Britain.
Roque said he would take up his suggestion with the Department of Transportation which supervises the country’s airports.
“Sa ngayon naman po basta sumunod sa ating protocol na quarantine bago lumabas ang PCR test tingin ko safe naman po tayo. Pero tama po kayo, panahon na para ikonsidera yang temporary travel ban sa UK,” the Palace official told newsmen.
“Bagama’t pakinggan din po natin ang sinabi ng WHO [World Health Organization] na hindi naman dapat ikabahala ‘yan dahil ganyan po talaga ang progression ng mga viruses,” he added.
Malacañang earlier hinted at a meeting called for by the policy-making Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF), to discuss what has to be done to prevent the possibility of the virus entering the country through an unwitting person coming from the UK.
European nations have already started blocking flights from the UK following reports that the new strain could be up to 70% more infectious.
However, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said Monday that they have not yet monitored the new strain in the Philippines.
She also said 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 Philippines is closing in to breach the half million mark representing the number of contaminated Filipinos.