Filipino artist fears longer struggle as Covid variant stalls tourism pickup

Tourists shop at Boracay Island, amid the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) outbreak, in Aklan province, Philippines, November 30, 2021. - Reuters

BORACAY, Philippines, Nov 30 (Reuters): Struggling Filipino artist Alberto Nunez was looking for a change in fortunes this week, until news broke of a new Covid-19 variant, which scuppered government plans to loosen restrictions and dashed his hopes for a long-awaited boost in business.

The Philippines on Sunday backed out of a planned reopening to foreign tourists after 21 months of border restrictions, citing uncertainty over the risks posed by the new Omicron Covid-19 variant that has triggered global concern.