According to INQUIRER.net | Philippine news for Filipinos, Senator Grace Poe said on Monday that the Philippines should have the option of requiring a negative COVID-19 test result for visitors coming from high-risk countries. Poe believes that regardless of China or other high-risk nations, there should always be the possibility to demand resting before tourists arrive in the Philippines, according to ANC Headstart.
Additionally, Poe noted that a process should be in place that may be promptly implemented if you reach a specific threshold or how many countries are genuinely affected. In particular, if the data coming from certain countries is unclear, we should always err on the side of caution.
According to PH should have mandatory COVID-19 test option for travelers from high-risk nations —Poe | Global News (inquirer.net), Poe brought up the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020, when the Philippines did not close off its borders despite the threat of the virus. The DOH (Department of Health) determined in 2022 too late, and by the time the Philippines did not impose travel restrictions, that is allegedly how the virus spread so quickly in the first quarter of 2020. It's time for the government to establish clear guidelines for dealing with visitors from high-risk nations.
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 threat, the country is currently under increased surveillance for all arriving tourists. 12,376 COVID-19 cases were active in the Philippines as of January 8, 2023.
