DFA advises Pinoy pilgrims: Postpone trip to Holy Land

The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs on Friday advised Filipinos planning to make pilgrimage tours to the Holy Land to postpone their trips.

In a public advisory issued on Friday, the DFA said the Palestinian Authority has decided to temporarily ban the entry of all tourists into the West Bank, including Bethlehem and Jericho, famous Christian pilgrimage sites.

Also, the DFA said that the Israeli government has decided to restrict all travels to Bethlehem from Israel.

"Prospective travelers are therefore advised to coordinate with their tour operators to avoid any inconvenience," the advisory added.

As the number of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections surpassed 100,000 across the world as of Friday, the World Health Organization (WHO) said that every country should make containing the epidemic its top priority.

Malacañang on Saturday asked the public to be calm, rely on verified information, and be assured that the Department of Health (DOH) is doing its job amid the increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in the country.

As of Friday the DOH said Philippines' confirmed COVID-19 infections was at five, including the Chinese national who died in the country earlier. —LBG, GMA News