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DOH mulls travel ban on Malaysia, Thailand due to Delta COVID-19 variant

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Jamaine Punzalan, ABS-CBN News 

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2021/news/07/15/20210701-naia-travelers-green-countries-jc-2.jpg"/><figcaption>Overseas Filipino workers arrive at the lobby of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 in Parañaque City on July 1, 2021. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File </figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA — The Department of Health said on Thursday it was studying the possible inclusion of Malaysia and Thailand in a travel ban aimed at keeping out the highly transmissible Delta COVID-19 variant spreading in Southeast Asia. </p><p>The Philippines has suspended entry of travelers from 7 countries to ward off the Delta variant at least until the <a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/07/14/21/philippines-travel-ban-july-2021-delta-covid">end of the month</a>. The travel curb will include <a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/07/14/21/philippines-travel-ban-delta-covid-indonesia-malaysia">Indonesia </a>starting July 16. <br/> </p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/07/14/21/philippines-to-export-excess-oxygen-supply-to-indonesia-amid-covid-19-pandemic">Philippines to export excess oxygen supply to Indonesia amid COVID-19 pandemic</a></li></ul><p>&quot;Mayroon ding nagsasabi ang Malaysia [bakit hindi kasama]... Pinag-aaralan na rin po ‘yan ng mga epidemiology bureau ng DOH. At possible na magbigay rekomendasyon para sa IATF kung hahabaan ba ang listahan ng travel ban sa mga bansa,&quot; said Health Secretary Francisco Duque III. </p><p>(Some say why is Malaysia not included. The epidemiology bureau of DOH is studying that. And we could submit a recommendation to the IATF if the list of countries under the travel ban should be expanded.) </p><p>&quot;Tinitingnan din natin ang Thailand,&quot; he said in a televised public briefing. </p><p>(We are also looking at Thailand.) </p><p>Both countries are grappling with a surge in coronavirus infections driven by the Delta variant.</p><p>Thailand is suffering its worst COVID-19 outbreak yet and reported a record 98 coronavirus deaths on Thursday, taking total fatalities to 3,032 since the pandemic began last year.</p><p>It also reported 9,186 new infections, bringing the total number of cases to 372,215.</p><p>Malaysia meanwhile reported 13,215 new coronavirus cases on Thursday, a record for a third straight day, which brought its total reported infections to 880,782.</p><p>The Philippines has not yet detected community transmission of the Delta variant, which it has so far monitored among <a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/07/05/21/doh-reports-2-new-cases-of-delta-covid-19-variant-in-ph">19 travelers</a> from abroad. </p><p>The country&#x27;s quarantine facilities remain sufficient, said Duque. </p><p>&quot;Just in case na makapasok [ang Delta variant], at least handa tayo,&quot; he said. </p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/spotlight/07/05/21/can-delta-variant-can-bypass-covid-19-vaccine">IATF allows &#x27;special commercial flights&#x27; for Pinoys stranded abroad due to travel ban</a></li>	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/spotlight/07/10/21/delta-variant-post-covid-normality">Delta variant puts brakes on return to post-COVID normality</a></li></ul><p>The Philippines exempts repatriation efforts from its travel ban.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/07/09/21/iatf-special-commercial-flights-travel-ban">IATF allows &#x27;special commercial flights&#x27; for Pinoys stranded abroad due to travel ban</a></li></ul><div><strong>— With a report from Reuters </strong></div><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen" frameBorder="0" height="100%" id="ivsplayer01" scrolling="no" src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/html/iframe-src.html?iframeid=ivsplayer01&amp;key=e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603&amp;spid=3001339&amp;vid=1727796" width="100%"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar"><em>Video courtesy of PTV </em></div><div><br/><br/> </div>

<p>The Department of Health said on Thursday it was studying the possible inclusion of Malaysia and Thailand in a travel ban aimed at keeping out the highly transmissible Delta COVID-19 variant spreading in Southeast Asia. </p>

The Department of Health said on Thursday it was studying the possible inclusion of Malaysia and Thailand in a travel ban aimed at keeping out the highly transmissible Delta COVID-19 variant spreading in Southeast Asia.

DOH mulls travel ban on Malaysia, Thailand due to Delta COVID-19 variant

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DOH mulls travel ban on Malaysia, Thailand due to Delta COVID-19 variant

Jamaine Punzalan,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jul 15, 2021 06:26 PM PHT

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