Philippines again extends COVID-19 travel ban on 10 countries, including UAE and Oman
The Philippines will extend a ban on travelers from India and nine other countries to the end of August because of concerns posed by the highly contagious Delta variant of the coronavirus, the presidential spokesperson said on Friday.
For more coronavirus news, visit our dedicated page.
Authorities in the Philippines are scrambling to contain a jump in coronavirus cases to a four-month high, with infections staying above the 12,000 mark for a second straight day on Thursday, and hospitals in some areas nearing capacity.
The travel ban, which was first imposed on April 27, has been rolled over several times and expanded to include Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia.
President Rodrigo Duterte approved the recommendation of the coronavirus task force to extend the travel restrictions from Aug. 16 to Aug. 31, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in a statement.
The Manila capital region, an urban sprawl of 16 cities that is home to 13 million people, remains under a strict lockdown to contain the spread of Delta, while the government ramps up its vaccination drive.
With about 11 percent of the country’s 110 million people fully immunized, millions still remain highly vulnerable to COVID-19, which has killed more than 29,500 in the Southeast Asian country.
As cases surge, more hospitals in the capital region have reported intensive care units, isolation beds and wards were nearing full capacity, and some have had to refuse new patients because of a lack of beds and ventilators.
Read more:
Philippines extends ban on travelers from 10 countries including UAE, Oman
Philippines estimates losses of $3 bln a week amid COVID-19 lockdown
Philippine president tells unvaccinated: ‘for all I care, you can die anytime’
-
Philippines estimates losses of $3 bln a week amid COVID-19 lockdown
Philippine authorities estimate that economic losses from the current strict lockdown in the Manila capital region and other areas could reach 150 ... Coronavirus -
Philippines extends ban on travelers from 10 countries including UAE, Oman
The Philippines has extended the ban on travelers from 10 countries, including the United Arab Emirates and Oman, until August 15 as part of ... Coronavirus -
Philippines orders children back indoors as COVID-19 cases surge
The Philippines sent millions of children back into lockdown Friday as hospitals prepared for a surge in coronavirus cases fueled by the highly ... Coronavirus