US travelers banned from PH entry for now

Manila airport scene. REUTERS

The Philippines is temporarily banning US travelers from entry, after the new and more infectious Covid variant was detected in Florida.

The ban came into effect on Sunday, Jan. 3, and will last until Friday, Jan.15, a spokesperson for Philippines president, said.

It covers those who have been to the US within 14 days preceding arrival in the Philippines, the spokesperson added.

The announcement comes just hours after health officials in Florida said they found evidence that the new variant, sometimes referred to as B.1.1.7., was found in a patient in the state.

Florida is the third state to have detected the B.1.1.7. California and Colorado have also reported cases of the new variant, which is thought to be more transmissible after being first detected in the UK