Philippines extends entry ban on foreigners amid COVID-19 spikes

The Philippines will extend its entry ban on foreigners until April 30, as the number of reported coronavirus cases remains high, the government announced on April 16.
Philippines extends entry ban on foreigners amid COVID-19 spikes ảnh 1The Philippines will extend its entry ban on foreigners until April 30, as the number of reported coronavirus cases remains high, the government announced on April 16. (Photo: Reuters)

Hanoi (VNA) –
The Philippines will extend its entryban on foreigners until April 30, as the number of reported coronavirus casesremains high, the government announced on April 16.

The ban, which started on March 22, was initially set tobe lifted on April 21. But it will be prolonged by more than a week as theSoutheast Asian country has seen on average around 10,000 new daily infectionsthis week.

Under the ban, foreigners are prohibited from entering thePhilippines, though there are several exceptions.

These include diplomats, foreigners engaged in medicalservices, foreign seafarers working for cargo ships, foreign spouses andchildren of Filipino citizens traveling with them, and others with humanitariancases.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in a statementthe ban doesn't apply to foreign nationals with valid entry exemptions issuedby the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs prior to March 22.

The country has recorded 904,285 cases, including 15,594deaths, as of April 15./.
VNA

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