PH extends travel ban to Malaysia, Thailand due to Delta variant threat

FILE PHOTO: Passengers, mostly Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) queue at the departure area of Ninoy Aquino International Airport amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Pasay, Metro Manila, Philippines, June 1, 2021. REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines has expanded its travel restriction to Malaysia and Thailand in a bid to prevent the entry of the COVID-19 Delta variant, Malacañang said Friday.

“Nagdesisyon na rin po ang ating Presidente, isinama na po ang Malaysia at Thailand sa mga bansa na kasama po sa travel ban,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque announced over state-run People’s Television Network.

(The President has decided to include Malaysia and Thailand in the countries with a travel ban.)

Roque said the travel restriction on these two countries is effective starting Sunday, July 25 until July 31, 2021.

Those already in transit to the Philippines from these countries must undergo a strict 14-day facility-based quarantine.

“These travel restrictions, however, are subject to the same exceptions on repatriation and special commercial flights for Filipinos, but they have to follow the prescribed testing and quarantine protocols,” Roque said.

The Philippines earlier imposed travel bans on India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, the United Arab Emirates, and Oman.

Health authorities confirmed there is already local transmission of the Delta variant, with 47 cases so far detected in the country.

EDV