Philippines extends travel ban on India, Indonesia, eight other countries amid rising Delta variant cases

The Philippines has extended its ban on inbound travelers from India, Bangladesh and eight other countries until August 15 to curb transmission of the more infectious Delta variant of the coronavirus, Malacañang said Friday.

"President Rodrigo Duterte approved the recommendation of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) to extend the travel restrictions currently imposed to 10 countries until August 15. These countries include India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand," presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said.

Likewise, Roque released new list of green countries considered as low risk for COVID-19 which include: Albania, Kosovo, Hong Kong, Laos, Hungary, New Zealand, China, among others.

Fully vaccinated Filipino travelers from these areas will be subjected to a seven-day facility quarantine, with the COVID-19 test to be taken on the fifth day.

Roque made the announcement a day after the Philippines recorded at least 97 Delta variant cases.

Only 7.8 million Filipinos are fully vaccinated against the COVID-19 so far based on government records, way behind the target of 58 million for population protection by the end of the year. — RSJ, GMA News