Philippines to ban foreign travelers from US

Since the more contagious new coronavirus variant was found in Florida, international travelers from the United States will be banned from the Philippines beginning this Sunday. 

In a tweet, President Rodrigo Duterte's spokesman said that the travel ban, which extends until January 15, includes those who have been to the United States within 14 days of arrival in the Philippines. 

The measure extends the travel restrictions declared by Manila on Tuesday, which originally included passengers from 19 countries and territories and came into force at midnight on 29 December.

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U.S. state health officials have detected the new variant of COVID-19, which has swept through the United Kingdom, in Florida, marking the third known U.S. state to identify such a case.

Speaker Harry Roque said the President's Office had agreed to include the United States in the Health and Foreign Relations Advisory Rule. 

U.S. passengers arriving before Jan. 3 will be able to reach the Philippines, but they will have to undergo a 14-day quarantine even though they have initially tested negative.