The Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on Friday has placed Portugal under the red list category due to the emerging threat of the Omicron COVID-19 variant.
“Travelers who will arrive from Portugal between Dec 12 to 15 will have to undergo testing and quarantine protocols for red list countries,” Presidential Spokesperson Karlo Nograles said in a briefing.
Only Filipinos and diplomats from red list countries will be allowed to enter the Philippines during the period.
Portugal has so far detected 37 cases of the Omicron variant.
“We have already instructed our immigration officers in the different ports, as well as foreign airlines, about these travel ban exemptions for immediate implementation,” Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said in a statement.
In addition to South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Eswatini, and Mozambique, the government included in the red list Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Belgium, France and Italy.
