PH extends travel ban on India, 6 other countries until July 31

FILE PHOTO: A patient with a breathing problem is rushed to a hospital for treatment, amidst the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Ahmedabad, India, April 15, 2021. REUTERS/Amit Dave

MANILA, Philippines — Amid the threat of the feared Delta variant of COVID-19, the Philippines extended travel restrictions imposed on inbound travelers from India and six other countries until July 31, 2021, Malacañang said Wednesday.

The travel ban covers India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, the United Arab Emirates, and Oman.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases approved the extension of the travel ban.

The travel restrictions were supposed to lapse on Thursday, July 15.

The IATF likewise directed its technical working group to further study and give its recommendations on the proper testing and quarantine protocols for incoming travelers from the said countries as well as other nations considered as “high risk” for COVID-19, Roque said.

The government earlier imposed these restrictions to prevent the entry of the COVID-19 double-mutant variant first detected in India.

So far, a total of 19 cases of the Delta variant or B.1.617 have been detected in the country. All were returning overseas Filipinos and no local case nor community transmission have been found in the Philippines.

/MUF