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Passengers flock to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 in Pasay City on March 27, 2024. An influx of passengers is anticipated as many head to the provinces for the Holy Week weekend. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News

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Holy Week Travel

Rowegie Abanto

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/171626628385120240327-naia-holy-week-rush-MD-15.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" spellcheck="false" style="text-align:left">Travelers flock to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 in Pasay City on March 27, 2024. <em>Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/File</em></span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>MANILA — The Philippines on Tuesday said there is no reason to impose travel restrictions on countries with increasing COVID infections driven by the new coronavirus variants.</p><p>US media reports say experts are warning that a small wave of coronavirus cases could hit the country <span id="isPasted" style="color:rgb(65, 65, 65);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;display:inline !important;float:none">in the summer or beginning next month </span>as new variants <span id="isPasted" style="color:rgb(65, 65, 65);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;display:inline !important;float:none">KP.2 and KP.3 — <span id="isPasted" style="color:rgb(65, 65, 65);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;display:inline !important;float:none"><span style="color:rgb(65, 65, 65);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;display:inline !important;float:none"></span>collectively nicknamed by scientists as &quot;FLiRT&quot; and offshoots of the JN.1 variant —</span> contribute a large number of new infections there. </span></p><p>Singapore is also reportedly seeing a surge in new COVID infections.<span id="isPasted" style="color:rgb(65, 65, 65);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;display:inline !important;float:none"></span></p><div><span style="color:rgb(65, 65, 65);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;display:inline !important;float:none">&quot;There is no scientific basis for travel restrictions to any country because of an increase in COVID-19 cases,&quot; the Department of Health said in a statement.</span><span style="color:rgb(65, 65, 65);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;display:inline !important;float:none"></span></div><div><span style="color:rgb(65, 65, 65);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;display:inline !important;float:none">The DOH said it was closely coordinating with the Bureau of Quarantine as well as with international health authorities, as it is also &quot;keeping watch over points of entry nationwide.&quot; </span></div><p>It also reminded medical facilities that they are required to report coronavirus cases &quot;whether tested by PCR or rapid antigen test,&quot; saying the data would help guide public health decisions.</p><div><span id="isPasted" style="color:rgb(65, 65, 65);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;display:inline !important;float:none">KP.2 and KP.3 are variants under monitoring by the World Health Organization, and </span><span id="isPasted"><span id="isPasted" style="color:rgb(65, 65, 65);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;display:inline !important;float:none">there is no evidence that they are causing severe to critical COVID &quot;<span id="isPasted" style="color:rgb(65, 65, 65);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;display:inline !important;float:none">both locally and internationally</span></span></span><span style="color:rgb(65, 65, 65);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;display:inline !important;float:none">,&quot; the DOH said.</span></div><p>There are concerns that the &quot;FLiRT&quot; variants are more infectious and evade previous immunity to COVID.</p><p>The DOH however said that &quot;f<span id="isPasted" style="color:rgb(65, 65, 65);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;display:inline !important;float:none">urther assessment&quot; should be conducted to determine the variants&#x27; transmissibility and capacity to evade immune response.</span><span id="isPasted"><span id="isPasted" style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:start;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;display:inline !important;float:none"></span></span></p><div><span><span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:start;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;display:inline !important;float:none">Around 78.4 million Filipinos were fully immunized against the coronavirus, and some 23.8 million received at least 1 booster shot.</span><br style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:start;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial"/></span></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>PH REMAINS &#x27;LOW RISK&#x27; FOR COVID</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>The DOH said all regions in the Philippines remain at &quot;low risk&quot; for COVID.</p><p>According to the agency, the country is averaging <span id="isPasted" style="color:rgb(65, 65, 65);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;display:inline !important;float:none">125 reported coronavirus cases per day. F</span><span id="isPasted"><span id="isPasted" style="color:rgb(65, 65, 65);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;display:inline !important;float:none">rom May 7 to 13, 2024, s</span></span><span style="color:rgb(65, 65, 65);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;display:inline !important;float:none">ome 877 new COVID cases were reported to the DOH.</span></p><p>&quot;<span id="isPasted" style="color:rgb(65, 65, 65);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;display:inline !important;float:none">While there is an observed increase recently, it is small and lower than previously observed increases,&quot; the agency said.</span></p><p>As of May 12, only 11 percent of dedicated COVID ICU beds were occupied, while 13 percent of non-ICU COVID beds were occupied, the DOH said.</p><p>&quot;Severe and critical COVID-19 cases admitted in various hospitals total to only 116,&quot; the health department added.</p><p>Health authorities continue to advise the public to observe minimum health standards to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.</p><p>&quot;The voluntary use of face masks should be done properly, along with standard precautions like hand washing, avoiding crowds, and choosing good airflow,&quot; the DOH said.</p><p>&quot;It is also best for those who feel ill to stay at home for the meantime, or to properly wear a mask should there be a need to go out.&quot;</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/5/8/doh-chief-not-worried-amid-astrazeneca-s-withdrawal-of-covid-vaccines-1602" id="isPasted">READ: DOH chief not worried amid AstraZeneca&#x27;s &#x27;withdrawal&#x27; of COVID vaccines</a></div>

<p>The Philippines on Tuesday said there was no reason to impose travel restrictions on countries with increasing numbers of COVID infections supposedly driven by the "FLiRT" variants.</p>

The Philippines on Tuesday said there was no reason to impose travel restrictions on countries with increasing numbers of COVID infections supposedly driven by the "FLiRT" variants.

Philippines rules out COVID travel curb as 'FLiRT' variants spread

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Philippines rules out COVID travel curb as 'FLiRT' variants spread

Rowegie Abanto,

ABS-CBN News

Published May 21, 2024 12:53 PM PHT

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