KUALA LUMPUR – The Philippines has banned travellers from Malaysia and Thailand from entering the country to curb the spread of Covid-19’s Delta variant.
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque was quoted by Reuters as saying that these safety measures include tightening restrictions in Manila.
Roque, in a national address, said the travel ban will take effect from Sunday to end of July.
“This action is undertaken to prevent the further spread and community transmission of Covid-19 variants in the Philippines.”
The Philippines has previously barred travellers from eight countries, including India and Indonesia.
President Rodrigo Duterte said to prevent further domestic transmission of the Delta variant, the capital region – an urban sprawl of 16 cities home to more than 13 million people – and four provinces have been placed under stricter coronavirus curbs until the end of this month.
Conference venues, gyms, indoor sports, as well as indoor tourist attractions are not allowed to open, while the operating capacity of indoor and al fresco dining has been cut.
Children between the ages of 5 and 17 will not be allowed to leave their houses.
The Philippines recorded 47 Delta variant cases, of which eight are active, and three deaths.
With more than 1.53 million infections and nearly 27,000 fatalities, it has the second-highest number of Covid-19 cases and casualties in Southeast Asia, next to Indonesia. – The Vibes, July 23, 2021
