The Bureau of Immigration said that they will be implementing the resolution from the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) to track UK travel history among passengers arriving to the country, following the recent implementation of United Kingdom (UK) travel ban effective December 24.

According to BI Commissioner Jaime Morente, the resolution bans all flights starting tomorrow until December 31.

“Consequently, effective December 24, all passengers who have been to the United Kingdom in the last 14 days are temporarily restricted from entering the Philippines,” Morente said.

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Transiting passengers are also included in the travel ban.

“I have instructed a strict implementation of our 100% passport inspection to ensure that we are able to detect anyone who has been to the UK in the last 14 days,” ‘Morente added.

The BI Chief also appealed to airlines to screen passengers from the UK.

“We are constrained to implement this to ensure that our healthcare system is given ample time to respond to this latest development on the pandemic,” he added

Passengers who arrive before December 24 will be allowed but will be subjected to the Bureau of Quarantine.

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“Filipinos will be allowed to enter the country even after December 24, but will also be referred to the BOQ and the One Stop Shop,” he stated.

Outbound travel will still be allowed.

“This is subject to the presentation of a confirmed round trip ticket for short-term our tourist visa holders, travel and health insurance to cover travel disruptions in case of Covid-19 infections during their allowable period of stay abroad, and signing at the ports of a declaration acknowledging the risks involved in traveling, including the risk of delay in their return trip,” the statement added. (TDT)