Hong Kong tourists are prohibited from entering the country?! Philippine authorities adjust green list

The Philippine government has removed South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe from the green list, acting presidential spokesman Karlo Nograles said Saturday.

Yesterday, the inter-agency epidemic prevention task force approved the suspension of inbound international flights from South Africa, Botswana and other countries with local or infected cases until December 15 to prevent the introduction of the B .1.1.529 variant new coronavirus into the Philippines. At present, the Philippine authorities have imposed entry restrictions on Namibia, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Eswatini and Mozambique, which will take effect immediately.

At the same time, Philippine Minister of Health Francisco Duque (Francisco Duque III) said in an interview: "As there have also been cases of B .1.1.529 variant infection in Hong Kong, China, the health department has recommended an entry ban for tourists from Hong Kong, but the proposal has not yet been approved by the inter-agency epidemic prevention working group or President Duterte."

Duke added: "This is an extraordinary time, especially as the Christmas season approaches, and we must assess it in the first place. There are many Filipino overseas workers in Hong Kong who are also planning to return to the Philippines to reunite with their families during the Christmas season., But we also need to take action to prevent the introduction of the mutant new coronavirus into the Philippines, leading to another surge in new coronavirus cases."

The Minister of Health said that if the Ormekjon (Omicron) or B .1.1.529 mutant new coronavirus is introduced into the Philippines, it is very likely to change the downward trend of cases in the country.