Philippines to ban U.S. travellers from Sunday

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Philippines to ban U.S. travellers from Sunday

 

Passengers wearing personal protective equipment for protection against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) queue at the check-in counters of Emirates airline, in Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines, July 9, 2020. REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez

 

MANILA (Reuters) - The Philippines will prohibit the entry of foreign travellers from the United States from Sunday after the more infectious new variant of the coronavirus was detected in Florida.

 

The travel ban, lasting until Jan. 15, covers those who have been to the United States within 14 days preceding arrival in the Philippines, President Rodrigo Duterte's spokesman said in a statement.

 

The measure expands the travel restriction that Manila announced on Tuesday, which initially covered passengers from 19 countries and territories and took effect from midnight of Dec. 29.

 

U.S. state health officials have detected the new variant of COVID-19, which has swept through the United Kingdom, in Florida, marking the third known U.S. state to identify such a case.'

 

Spokesman Harry Roque said the Office of the President decided to include the United States in the regulation on the recommendation of the health and foreign affairs departments.

 

Passengers from the United States who will arrive before Jan. 3 will be allowed to enter the Philippines, but they must to undergo a 14-day quarantine even if they had initially tested negative.

 

The restriction does not cover Filipinos travelling from the United States but they are also required to undergo a 14-day quarantine in a government facility when they arrive.

 

The new variant has not been detected in the Philippines.

 

With more than 475,000 confirmed infections and 9,248 deaths, the Philippines has the second highest number of COVID-19 cases and casualties in Southeast Asia after Indonesia.

 

(Reporting by Enrico Dela Cruz; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne and Angus MacSwan)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2021-01-02

 

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[ThailandRyan]

Friend of mine was set to see his wife and 2 kids in Manila next week.  He has not been home since he was able to return and visit last year due to work.  He is absolutely crushed at having to cancel his 2 month trip and is unsure of when he can get back to see them, much like those who have had problems returning to Thailand for various reasons.  Her Visa to the US as was shot down, even though they have been married for 5 years because she had a prior arrest for domestic assault on her previous boyfriend. 

[Hanuman2547]

I don't blame them really.  I wouldn't wouldn't want people that have recently been in the US visiting either.  The US has done a very poor job in managing this crisis which is why they have the number of infections that they do.  

[ThailandRyan]

5 minutes ago, Hanuman2547 said:

I don't blame them really.  I wouldn't wouldn't want people that have recently been in the US visiting either.  The US has done a very poor job in managing this crisis which is why they have the number of infections that they do.  

If every country tested the same percentage of people as the US has, then I quarantee you might see a difference in what the Asian countries like Thailand would show number wise instead of the low number they currently show.  You can say what you will, but unless testing is equal you will never know the truth and that is not bashing it is just plain and simple mathematics.

[Hanuman2547]

5 minutes ago, ThailandRyan said:

If every country tested the same percentage of people as the US has, then I quarantee you might see a difference in what the Asian countries like Thailand would show number wise instead of the low number they currently show.  You can say what you will, but unless testing is equal you will never know the truth and that is not bashing it is just plain and simple mathematics.

I agree, but since they don't the Philippines is taking the step that they feel is best for them.  

[ThailandRyan]

1 minute ago, Hanuman2547 said:

I agree, but since they don't the Philippines is taking the step that they feel is best for them.  

Which I agree is a prudent thing to do.  Have many friend's now who can not get home to the Philippines from the US who have dual citizenship and want to get back to their homes in the Luzon countryside and in Cebu.