As of date, the Philippine government’s travel restriction on foreign nationals coming from 36 areas with confirmed cases of more transmissible COVID-19 variants will end on Sunday, Jan. 31.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque confirmed this in a press briefing, with no indication that new travel orders will be issued after the current one lapses.
“The restriction remains until January 31, 2021 and would lapse after the aforesaid date,” he said.
The travel ban was imposed late December to prevent the entry of new, more transmissible COVID-19 variants. It was later expanded to cover 36 jurisdictions with confirmed cases of emerging variants.
The spokesman added that starting Feb. 1, foreign nationals arriving in the country should have valid visas at the time of entry, except for those covered by the Balikbayan Program. They should also have a pre-booked accommodation for at least seven nights in an accredited quarantine hotel. They would need to undergo COVID-19 testing on their sixth day of quarantine.
