Philippine government ordered suspension of flights from United Kingdom to the Philippines starting Dec 24 (12:01 am) to Dec 31, says Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque.
The measure was to ensure that the new virus strain detected in the UK would not enter the country.
Yesterday, senators called on the government to implement a travel ban on travelers coming from United Kingdom after a new strain of COVID-19 virus was detected.
According to Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, the Department of Health (DOH) should “act decisively and not procrastinate.”
“Recall that in February, DOH did not immediately ban travels from China, which directly caused the deadly local transmission of COVID-19,” Drilon said in a message.
In a separate message to reporters, Senator Joel Villanueva also wanted a temporary travel ban for travelers from Europe to ensure the new COVID-19 strain would not enter and spread in the Philippines.
“We must do everything to ensure the safety and protection of our people,” Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto said, also supporting the travel ban.
According to initial data, the new strain of coronavirus could be “up to 70% more transmissible.” British Prime Minister Boris Johnson already ordered new restrictions for London and southeastern England until December 30.
Gov’t implements ban on flights from United Kingdom
DOH clarified Monday that no new strain of coronavirus was detected in the Philippines.
“According to the RITM, right now, they have not seen a new strain in the country based on their monitoring,” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said in a briefing.
Reuters reported, “Several European countries placed new restrictions on travel to and from the United Kingdom on Sunday due to concern over a new strain of the coronavirus that is spreading rapidly there.”
In February this year, President Rodrigo Duterte ordered a travel ban from Hubei, China, where Wuhan City is located. Wuhan is where the new coronavirus strain originated. The order was issued a day after the Department of Health confirmed the first case of 2019-nCoV in the Philippines.
Many blamed the government’s slow action on imposing travel ban for the spread of COVID-19 in the Philippines.