The Philippines has extended the travel ban on travelers from ten countries, including Sri Lanka, until the end of August due to concerns over the spread of the delta virus. A spokesman for the Philippine president confirmed the news on Friday.
Presidential spokesman Harry Rogue said in a statement that President Rodrigo Duterte had approved the Corona Virus task force's recommendation to extend travel restrictions from August 16 to August 31.
The travel ban, originally imposed on April 27, has been extended several times. The travel ban covers Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia. Authorities in the Philippines are struggling to reduce the number of corona victims to a four-month low.
By the second day on Thursday more than 12,000 epidemics and hospitals in some areas were reaching capacity. The Manila capital area is under tight locking to control the spread of the delta, while the government has stepped up its vaccination drive.