Passengers from Oman, UAE denied entry to Philippines

Muscat: Passengers from Oman and the United Arab Emirates will be denied entry into the Philippines, as part of measures adopted by the South East Asian country to stop the spread of COVID-19.

The decision comes after two overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) – one from each country – tested positive for the Indian variant of the virus on arrival in the Philippines.

One of the two COVID-19 patients is a 37-year-old from Oman, while the other one is a 58-year-old from the UAE. They have already recovered from the disease, according to the Philippine News Agency.

According to Harry Roque, the Presidential spokesperson, the travel ban concerning the two Gulf countries will be in effect from 15 to 31 May, 2021. This comes following the recommendation of the Department of Health and the Department of Foreign Affairs.

“All travellers coming from Oman and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) or those with travel history to these two countries within the 14 days preceding arrival shall be prohibited from entering the Philippines,” he said.

“The Department of Transportation should ensure that airlines are directed not to allow the boarding of passengers who are prohibited from entering the country pursuant to travel restrictions imposed by the Office of the President and IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force) resolutions except if they are part of the repatriation efforts of the national government,” Roque added.

Oman and the UAE aside, passengers flying from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka are also temporarily prohibited from entering the Philippines.