Philippines bans travel from Oman, UAE over Covid-19 variants beginning Saturday (May 15)

Filipinos at Dubai airport, awaiting repatriation. Photo courtesy of Philippine Consulate General staff

MANILA, May 15 (Xinhua): The Philippines will ban international arrivals from Oman and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) starting Saturday amid concerns over the new coronavirus variant first detected in India, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque has announced.

"All travelers coming from Oman and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) or those with travel history to these two countries within the last 14 days preceding arrival shall be prohibited from entering the Philippines beginning 00:01 of May 15,2021, until 23:59 of May 31,2021," Roque said in a statement.