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MANILA: The Philippines will ban the entry of foreign travelers from the United States starting January 3, President Rodrigo Duterte’s spokesman said on Friday (January 1), after the most infectious new variant of the coronavirus was detected in Florida.
The travel ban, which will last until January 15, covers those who have been to the United States within the 14 days prior to their arrival in the Philippines, spokesman Harry Roque said in a statement.
READ: Philippine Islands self-isolate after new COVID-19 variant found in Malaysia
The measure expands the travel restriction that Manila announced on Tuesday, which initially covered passengers from 19 countries and territories and took effect as of midnight on December 29.
The new variant of COVID-19 has been detected in Florida by US state health officials, which has spread across the UK, marking the third known US state to identify such a case.
Spokesperson Roque said that the Office of the President decided to include the United States in the regulation on the recommendation of the health and foreign affairs departments.
READ: Philippines extends travel ban to limit spread of new strain of COVID-19 virus
Passengers from the United States arriving before January 3 will be allowed to enter the Philippines, but must undergo a 14-day quarantine, even if they initially tested negative.
The restriction does not cover Filipinos traveling from the United States, but they must also undergo a 14-day quarantine at 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 victims in Southeast Asia after Indonesia.
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