Philippines suspends flights from UK amid new virus variant

The government has ordered a suspension of all flights from the United Kingdom to the Philippines amid concerns about the new SARS-CoV-2 variant that has been spreading in Britain.

In a message to reporters on Wednesday, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said the suspension will start on December 24, 2020 at 12:01 a.m. and end on December 31, 2020.

The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) has recommended the restrictions on inbound travel from the UK on those dates "to curb the anticipated increase in COVID-19 cases during the holiday season," the Department of Health (DOH) said in a statement on Wednesday.

Roque said the suspension was approved by President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday night.

"All passengers who have been in the UK within fourteen (14) days immediately preceding arrival to the Philippines, including those merely in transit, are also temporarily restricted from entering the country for the same period," Roque said.

"On the other hand, passengers already in transit from the UK and all those who have been to the UK within 14 days immediately preceding arrival to the Philippines, who arrive before 12:01 a.m. of December 24, 2020, shall not be subject to entry restriction but they would be required to undergo stricter quarantine and testing protocols," he added.

These protocols include the observation of an absolute 14-day quarantine period at the Athlete’s Village in the New Clark City and securing a negative RT-PCT test result.

"Outbound travel to the UK shall likewise be subject to the existing exit protocols of the Philippines and the UK," Roque said.

In a radio interview, Roque urged Filipinos in the UK to postpone their travel plans.

“Ito naman po ay para malaman ng mga kababayan natin na nagpaplanong pumunta dito sa Pilipinas: Sa simula ng a-24, ipagpaliban ninyo po muna ang inyong mga biyahe,” he said.

A growing number of countries, especially in Europe, are blocking flights from the UK following reports that the new strain could be up to 70% more infectious. 

Much is unknown about the strain, but experts said current vaccines should still be effective against it.

Asian nations including Japan and South Korea said they were monitoring the new strain even as they battle a spike in infections at home. 

At a press briefing on Monday, Roque said the Philippines has enough mechanisms in identifying infected travelers.

DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said they have not yet monitored the new strain in the Philippines.   —with Llanesca T. Panti and Virgil Lopez/KBK, GMA News