Philippines to bar travel from Malaysia, Thailand to curb Delta’s spread

July 23, 2021 - 11:26 AM
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Passengers wearing hazmat suits queue at the departure area of Ninoy Aquino International Airport amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Pasay, Metro Manila, Philippines, June 1, 2021. (Reuters/Eloisa Lopez)

MANILA — The Philippines will ban the entry of travelers coming from Malaysia and Thailand in a bid to prevent the spread of the highly transmissible Delta COVID-19 variant, the presidential spokesperson said on Friday.

The travel restriction will take effect on July 25 and run to July 31, presidential spokesman Harry Roque said in a national address. The Philippines has previously banned travelers from eight countries including Indonesia and India.

—Reporting by Neil Jerome Morales Editing by Ed Davies