Herbosa hints at isolation for PH travelers

By Gabriellea B. Pariño

DEPARTMENT of Health (DOH)

Secretary Teodoro Herbosa hinted at the possibility of home isolation for travelers entering the Philippines once the COVID-19 public health emergency warning is lifted.

“Even if we remove the country from a state of emergency, COVID is still very much here. You should still isolate yourself if you are coming from another country as other variants of the disease are more rampant and have developed there. It’s a minimum public health measure,” Herbosa, in an interview with Super Radyo DZBB, said.

Herbosa also said home isolation for individuals who are going to enter the country also addresses the issue of pricey isolation facilities. “To avoid an outbreak, travelers with symptoms really need to undergo isolation,” he added.

The official said isolation of visitors to the Philippines may mean a stay in a hotel isolation facility for a few days.

Currently, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) still implements protocols for visitors.