BI spox: Over 100 immigration workers got COVID-19; 2 fatalities recorded this year

Over a hundred employees of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) had been infected with COVID-19 this year, spokesperson Dana Sandoval said on Thursday.

"Sa figures po natin, mahigit 100 na po ang tinamaan ng COVID-19. We're thankful naman po na karamihan naka-recover," Sandoval said in an interview on Dobol B sa News TV.

Two fatalities among BI personnel were recorded, she added.

The specific period of when these infections happened was not mentioned during the interview.

Sandoval, nonetheless, said that quarantine protocols are in place for Immigration officers who are deployed at various airports.

"Mayroon tayong strict protocol na pag may nagpa-positive, lahat ng nakasalumuhang Immigration officers pinapa-quarantine po natin," she said.

Sandoval also said that the number of BI employees on the ground are sufficient to accommodate the volume of travelers this holiday season.

To prevent the possible spread of a new COVID-19 strain, the government suspended all flights from the United Kingdom from December 24 to December 31, 2020.

"Starting po kaninang hatinggabi until December 31 of this year, restricted po muna ang entry ng lahat po ng mangagagaling [sa] United Kingdom," Sandoval said.

All passengers who have been in the UK within 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. — Dona Magsino/RSJ, GMA News