MANILA: The National Task Force (NTF) COVID is still advising Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) not to come home for vacation purposes.

“Ang abiso po ay ‘wag na po tutuloy kasi di lang po tayo ang naghihigpit… Iniingatan po natin ang pagkalat ng mga bagong variant na ito,” NTF Spokesperson Retired General Restituto Padilla told the media.

The Philippines has confirmed its first case of UK COVID-19 variant last week from a 27 year-old man who had a business trip to Dubai.

The man is a resident of Quezon City and is currently under isolation. The Department of Health (DOH) said that the patient is in stable condition.

Meanwhie, Filipinos with medical emergencies who are coming home from countries banned due to the new COVID-19 variant will be allowed entry.

The government, however, said they should follow strict pandemic protocols before giving permission to do so.

The Philippines has so far banned 32 countries and territories which have confirmed cases of the more infectious UK COVID-19 variant.

A strict mandatory 14-day quarantine for travelers from countries with reported cases of the new variant is imposed according to the Health Department.

Foreign spouses of Filipinos cannot enter the country unless it’s a medical emergency.