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BOQ: Travelers from red list countries who arrived before Nov. 28 have no COVID-19 symptoms
The Bureau of Quarantine on Tuesday said the passengers from red list countries who arrived in the Philippines before protocols were announced on November 28 have no symptoms of COVID-19.
According to Chino Gaston's report on "24 Oras," all the passengers had been traced.
"So lahat po 'yon na-trace natin ang wala naman po tayong nakita na nagkaroon ng manifestation or signs na possible na may COVID sila," BOQ Deputy Director Dr. Roberto Salvador said.
On Sunday, travelers from countries under the red list or areas with high risk for COVID-19 transmission were barred from entering the Philippines amid the threat of the Omicron coronavirus variant.
The Philippines has placed 14 countries on the red list, barring entry to travelers from Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Belgium, Italy, South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Eswatini, and Mozambique until December 15.
Experts said they have yet to detect any case of the Omicron variant in the country.
Malacañang earlier said it was closely monitoring developments on the Omicron variant that is believed to be more transmissible.
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The World Health Organization classified Omicron as a variant of concern.
The origin of the variant is currently unclear, but South African scientists were the first to announce the discovery on November 25.