Pinoy couple in UK postpones wedding, other OFWs cancel plans amid COVID travel restriction

Many Filipinos staying in the United Kingdom have decided to either postpone or cancel their plans to return to the Philippines as travel restrictions are implemented to curb the spread of the new COVID-19 variant.

In JP Soriano's report on "24 Oras," Tuesday, nurses Christian Pasadas and his fiance were supposed to have their wedding next December in the Philippines but decided to postpone the event.

"We just decided to postpone it na lang. Indefinite 'yung case about new variant. Magiging impractical for us to push through," Christian said.

The nurse also shared that he was supposed to go home this April and then in November but his flights were cancelled. With the new restriction, he said that it seemed impossible for him to fly back to the country to start preparations for the wedding.

"Akala natin na magiging okay na lahat but after this new variant, wala na naman tayong alam, walang kasiguraduhan what's in store for us next year. Ang plan B na lang namin ngayon dito nalang kami mag-wewedding," Christian added.

In a separate interview, London-based Ira Lehman said that she was planning to celebrate Christmas here but decided to cancel her plan due to the restrictions in both UK and the Philippines.

"I didn't wanna risk having to fly back to the Philippines just to be sent back," she said. "'Yung 2 weeks na initial quarantine, alanganin din kasi after two weeks uwi na rin ako dito kasi limited din leave namin dito so sayang."

Joane Sorreda also shared that she was planning to visit her home when her medical results came out and she was diagnosed with having breast cancer. She then decided to stay and get her treatment in the UK.

"I was planning to go back there this month but di nga kasi kailangan ko din tapusin treatment ko. With this new strain mahirap nadin para sa akin tsaka lockdown din dito," Joane said.

The Department of Labor and Employment also said that not all returning Pinoys are covered by this restriction, in exception to OFWs.

The new variant of COVID-19 strain, according to England's Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty, has been found to spread more quickly. -- BAP, GMA News