Philippines lifts entry ban, but foreign tourists still not allowed as Covid-19 cases are at record high

Vehicles line up for a booster shot of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine, at a drive-through vaccination site, in Manila, Philippines. - Reuters

MANILA, Jan 16 (dpa): The Philippines has lifted a ban on entry for travellers from 14 countries and territories with high Covid-19 cases, but stressed that foreign tourists were still not allowed amid a surge in infections.

The lifting of the entry ban was announced as the Philippines daily tally of new Covid-19 cases hit a record high for the third straight day on Saturday (Jan 15), as the health department confirmed the community transmission of the Omicron variant in the capital region.