Cebu Pacific reminds travellers of PH travel restrictions amid emergence of new COVID variant

 (Photo by LYN RILLON / Philippine Daily Inquirer) 

MANILA, Philippines — Cebu Pacific has announced that it will not accept bookings from foreigners who recently traveled to countries with known cases of the new COVID-19 variant.

In an advisory issued Friday, Cebu Pacific said that foreign nationals who “originated from, transited via, or visited within 14 days prior to arrival in the Philippines” from the countries specified by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID) will not be accepted in their flights. 

The following countries are: 

1. United Kingdom
2. Denmark
3. Ireland
4. Japan
5. Australia
6. Israel
7. The Netherlands
8. The People’s Republic of China, including Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
9. Switzerland
10. France
11. Germany
12. Iceland
13. Italy
14. Lebanon
15. Singapore
16. Sweden
17. South Korea
18. South Africa
19. Canada
20. Spain
21. United States of America
22. Portugal
23. India
24. Finland
25. Norway
26. Jordan
27. Brazil
28. Austria
29. Pakistan
30. Jamaica
31. Luxembourg
32. Oman
33. United Arab Emirates
34. Hungary

The airline’s latest advisory was in line with the national government’s previous announcement that it has extended its travel ban until Jan. 31 due to the new COVID-19 variant. 

 The extension comes after a 29-year-old male from Quezon City who arrived from Dubai, United Arab Emirates tested positive for the new COVID-19 variant.

Cebu Pacific added that from Jan. 15 to Jan. 31, it will only accept Filipino citizens from Dubai, Hong Kong, Nagoya (Japan), Singapore and Seoul (South Korea). 

 The airline added that passengers affected by the temporary ban may avail of any of the following options: free rebooking within 90 days—waived rebooking fee and fare difference, full travel fund, valid for two years or a full refund. 

 “In compliance with IATF regulations, Filipinos who wish to proceed with their travel plans will be subjected to a mandatory 14-day quarantine at an accredited facility upon arrival in Manila,” Cebu Pacific said. 

  gsg