Philippines to ease travel restrictions for over 30 countries, regions
The Philippines starting next month will relax its ban on travellers from over 30 countries and regions that have confirmed cases of more transmissible COVID-19 variants, presidential spokesman Harry Roque said on January 29.
A health worker takes nasal swab sample for COVID-19 testing (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) - The Philippines starting next month will relax its ban on travellersfrom over 30 countries and regions that have confirmed cases of more transmissibleCOVID-19 variants, presidential spokesman Harry Roque said on January 29.
In a statement, Roquesaid the ban on foreign travellers from 36 countries and regions, including theUK, China and the US, ends on January 31.
The governmentclarified that foreign nationals who are not allowed entry to the Philippinesas stated by previous orders, including those holding tourist visas, are stillprohibited to enter the country.
Roque reiterated that travellerswho are allowed to enter still need to complete the 14-day quarantine.
On the same day, heannounced that Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has retained the generalcommunity quarantine for the capital city of Manila until the end of Februaryto curb the spread of the COVID-19.
Aside from Manila, Dutertealso placed a number of provinces across the country under the samerestrictions. Many provinces in other parts of the country are put under morerelaxed restrictions, Roque added.
The Philippines has tallied 519,575 COVID-19infections, including 10,552 fatalities./.
The COVID-19 pandemic remains complicated in Southeast Asia as several regional countries have reported more cases of infections and deaths over the last 24 hours.
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A health worker takes nasal swab sample for COVID-19 testing (Photo: Xinhua/VNA) 
