Seeking to Dodge Delta Variant, PH Includes Indonesia in Travel Ban

(UPDATE) The Philippines included Indonesia in an extended travel ban until July 31, 2021, Malacañang said Wednesday, joining nations guarding in against the spread of the highly transmissible COVID-19 Delta variant.

Aside from Indonesia, the travel ban also covers India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, the United Arab Emirates, and Oman as approved by the inter-agency task force on pandemic response, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said.

The travel restrictions were supposed to expire on Thursday, July 15.

A JPMorgan analysis has found the Philippines to be among the most vulnerable to the COVID-19 Delta variant within emerging markets, mostly due to low vaccination rates.