Five countries have been added on the list of countries placed under the travel ban implemented in the Philippines.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said China, Pakistan, Jamaica, Luxembourg, and Oman are now included in the expanded travel ban.

The inclusion of these countries with travel restrictions came from the recommendation of the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.

These countries were identified to have the new strain of the COVID-19 first detected in UK, which is believed to be more infectious than the original variant.

The restriction will take effect at 12:01 noon on January 13 until January 15, 2021.

Passengers who are in transit prior to the implementation of the said ban will still be allowed entry to the country.

Filipinos who are coming from the said countries will also be allowed to enter beyond the January 13 date provided that they will undergo a 14- day facility quarantine regardless of their negative PCR test result.

“Filipinos coming from these territories can still come home, but subject to the absolute 14-day quarantine, kahit ano man po ang resulta ng kanilang (whatever the result of their) PCR test,” Roque said.

The Philippine government has already imposed entry restrictions to a total of 33 countries.

Malacañang is yet to announce whether there will be an extension or lifting of the travel bans which will only be effective until January 15, Friday.