(AFP file photo)
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines should have the option to require a negative COVID-19 test result for inbound travelers coming from high-risk nations, Senator Grace Poe said on Monday.
“Personally, I think if there’s a high-risk country, whether it’s China or another country, we should always have that option to require testing before they come in,” Poe said in an interview on ANC Headstart.
“The protocol should be in place that immediately it can be enacted, if let’s say you reach a certain threshold or how many percent of your countrymen are actually getting infected, and especially if the data coming from certain countries are not clear, we always have to err on the side of caution when it comes to that,” she pointed out.
Poe recalled the influx of COVID-19 cases in 2020 when the Philippines did not close its borders despite the virus’ threat.
“Remember, in 2020, the DOH (Department of Health) decided too late and by the time we didn’t restrict incoming travel, that’s how, supposedly, the virus spread so rapidly during the first quarter of 2020,” Poe added.
“This time, what we are asking, perhaps the government, is just to have a clear-cut regulation of what we’re supposed to do with these incoming travelers from China,” she added.
Currently, the country is on heightened surveillance for all incoming travelers amid the persisting threat of COVID-19.
As of January 8, 2023, the Philippines has 12,376 active COVID-19 cases.