Stricter screening of travelers ordered amid hike in COVID cases

FACED with a new strain of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ) has tightened its screening activities in all entry points of the country.

Based on Memorandum No. 2024-48, BOQ director Ferdinand Salcedo directed all quarantine stations across the country to thoroughly screen arriving travelers from countries where the “FLIRT” sub-variants have been detected.

“All stations have been directed to conduct thorough screening at points of entry for arriving visitors originating from countries where COVID FLIRT incidents have been detected,” said Salcedo.

The BOQ issued the advisory on the heels of the detection of the COVID FLIRT variants, particularly the KP.1 and KP.2 sub-variants, in some countries, including Singapore, where cases are again on the upward trend.

The BOQ official also urged all arriving travelers to practice safety practices and fully accomplish their e-travel applications, accessible via https://etravel.gov.ph, before coming to the country.

“All travelers must be reminded to complete the health questionnaire available on the e-

travel application,” said Salcedo.

“The general public should take basic health measures, such as frequent hand washing, coughing etiquette, avoiding crowded situations, and getting in contact with people with flu like symptoms,” he added,

Similarly, Salcedio said encouraged those who shall develop COVID-19 symptoms after arriving in the Philippines to isolate themselves to prevent the spread of the virus.