Ban on Austrian travelers

MANILA, Philippines — The Office of the President has banned the entry to the Philippines of foreign travelers coming from Austria or who have been to the European country within 14 days immediately preceding arrival in the Philippines starting tomorrow until Jan.15.

The new restriction came after the detection of a new South African COVID-19 variant, according to the order issued through the Office of the Executive Secretary last night.

Effective immediately, foreign passengers coming from, or who have been to Austria within 14 days immediately preceding arrival in the Philippines, arriving before Jan. 10, shall be allowed to enter the Philippines.  However, they shall be required to undergo an absolute facility-based 14-day quarantine period, even if they obtain a negative RT-PCR test result, the order stated.

Also, effective immediately, Filipino citizens coming from, or who have been to Austria, within 14 days immediately preceding arrival in the Philippines, including those arriving after Jan. 10 shall be allowed to enter the Philippines.  They shall be required, however, to undergo an absolute facility-based 14-day quarantine period, even if they obtain a negative RT-PCR test result.

Filipino and foreign passengers merely transiting through Austria shall be covered by the rules as provided for in a memorandum from the Executive Secretary dated Dec. 31, 2020.

Meanwhile, the rules on incoming unaccompanied minor Filipino passengers as provided for in the Memorandum from the Executive Secretary dated Jan. 5, 2021, shall apply to such passengers coming from or who have been to Austria with the prohibition of entry taking effect tomorrow.