Protocols in place as IATF set to discuss new COVID-19 strain — Palace

The Philippines’ COVID-19 task force will discuss in its next meeting the government’s response to a new and more infectious COVID-19 strain, Malacañang said Monday.

Pending the response of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) on the matter, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque assured the public that the country has enough mechanisms in identifying infected travelers.

“Sa ngayon po in place pa naman ‘yung ating mga protocols para sa lahat ng mga pumapasok ng Pilipinas kasama po ang mandatory quarantine habang inaantay po ang resulta ng kanilang PCR test,” Roque said at a news conference in Davao City.

Several countries started banning flights and travelers from the United Kingdom as Britain warned that the new strain was “out of control.” 

There is no evidence yet that the strain is more likely to cause severe infections, according to scientists, even as the UK government decided to scrap the planned relaxation of coronavirus restrictions for Christmas following the steep rise in new cases. 

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said Monday that they have not yet monitored the new strain in the Philippines.

She also said there is no need to impose stricter travel restrictions given that the country only allows entry for diplomats, individuals with businesses in the Philippines and Filipino citizens. — RSJ, GMA News