Airport personnel monitor a thermal scanner as passengers arrive at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay, Philippines, January 23, 2020. REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez/File Photo
Doha: In its social media platform, the Philippine Embassy in Qatar has shared an announcement made by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) advising travellers to reconsider New Year travel plans to the Philippines.
In a statement, the DFA said: "In the wake of a Malacañang announcement on December 29 of the extension until January 15, 2021 of a temporary entry ban on flights and foreign passengers coming from the UK and 19 other countries and jurisdictions that have reported incidence of the new coronavirus strain, the DFA strongly advise foreign nationals and Filipino citizens intending to come to the Philippines to reconsider their travel plans for a later date."
The list of temporarily banned countries include Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Hong Kong SAR, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Lebanon, the Netherlands, Singapore, Switzerland, Sweden, South Korea, South Africa, Spain, and the United Kingdom.
The DFA also stated that during the period from December 30, 2020 to January 15, 2021, all foreign nationals regardless of previous Philippine visas and exemptions granted, who will be flying from or have been to the mentioned countries and jurisdictions within 14 days of arrival in the Philippines, will not be permitted to enter the Philippine territory.
Filipino citizens coming from these countries can still enter the Philippines but must adhere to a 14-day quarantine at a government facility despite a negative RT-PCR test result.
"Filipino citizens who come from these areas can still enter the Philippines but will be required to complete strictly the 14-day quarantine requirement at a government facility even if RT-PCR tests show negative results," DFA said.
