Portugal included in ‘red list’ starting December 12

Tourists walk along a street in downtown Lisbon, Portugal, November 4, 2021. REUTERS/Pedro Nunes

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine government has decided to include Portugal in its “red list”  starting December 12. The “red list” is the roster of countries deemed as high-risk for COVID-19 starting December 12.

Cabinet Secretary and acting presidential spokesperson Karlo Nograles said the inclusion of Portugal in the “red list” was stated in Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases Resolution No. 153 approved on Thursday.

Nograles said passengers who have been to Portugal within 14 days and will arrive in the Philippines from December 12 to December 15 (12:00 a.m.) will have to be tested and subjected to quarantine protocols for red list countries.

“Na-escalate po ang bansang Portugal sa red list simula 12:01 a.m. ng December 12, 2021,” Nograles said in a press briefing.

“Kailangang sumailalim sa testing and quarantine protocols for red list countries, territories, and jurisdictions ang mga pasahero na nanggaling sa Portugal within 14 days immediately preceding arrival in the Philippines those who arrived on or after 12:01 a.m. of December 12, 2021,” he added.

Starting December 15, at 12:01 a.m.,  passengers coming from or who have been to Portugal within the last 14 days prior to arrival in the Philippines will not be allowed entry into the country, regardless of their vaccination status.

“Ang papayagan lamang ay ang mga Pilipinog bumalık sa bansa via government-initiated repatriation, non-government-initiated repatriation, at Bayanihan flights,” Nograles said.

The Philippine government also recently placed France on the red list from December 10 to 15.

/MUF