Philippines a ‘high risk’ COVID-19 country in US advisory

MANILA, Philippines — The United States – through its Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – has advised its citizens against traveling to the Philippines due to “very high level” of COVID-19 infections in the country.

“The CDC issued Level 4 Travel Health Notice for the Philippines due to COVID-19, indicating a very high level of COVID-19 in the country,” the State Department said yesterday in its updated travel advisory.

The CDC lists nearly 130 countries and territories with COVID-19 cases as “Level Four: Very High.”

“Do not travel to the Philippines due to COVID-19,” the CDC said. “There are restrictions in place affecting US citizen entry into the Philippines,” it added.

The CDC said those who intend to travel to the Philippines must make sure they are fully vaccinated.

“Even if you are up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines, you may still be at risk for getting and spreading COVID-19,” it said.

The CDC also advised anyone two years or older to properly wear well-fitting mask in indoor public spaces.

Last month, the US also advised its citizens to reconsider travel to the Philippines, citing what it called a high level of COVID-19 in the country.

The US government updated last Jan.18 its travel advisory in response to CDC’s issuance of Level 3 Travel Health Notice for the Philippines.

In April 2021, the US State Department urged US citizens not to travel to the Philippines, citing health concerns.

The Philippines will re-open to fully vaccinated tourists from most countries on Feb.10.

Meanwhile, the Philippines and Japan have signed an 885-million yen grant to boost Philippine pandemic recovery measures through the provision of cold chain systems, the Japanese embassy in Manila said.

Japanese Ambassador Koshikawa Kazuhiko attended on Friday the virtual signing of an agreement between the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Department of Health (DOH) for grant assistance of 885-million yen or roughly P400 million.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III and JICA Philippines representative Azukizawa Eigo were signatories to the agreement.

Also last Friday, Australia, in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Philippines, turned over a donation of cold chain equipment.

The Japanese grant will provide cold chain transport and equipment throughout the Philippines, including 70 refrigerated and service truck units, 1,000 transport boxes for vaccines, ice pack freezers, thermometers and other equipment.

Koshikawa said the assistance was another signpost in Japan’s commitment to help the Philippines in its continuing battle against COVID-19.

Despite the downtrend in cases in Metro Manila and nearby areas, various parts of the country continue to experience surges, primarily due to the Delta and Omicron variants.

“The cold chain systems for vaccines are incredibly significant for guaranteeing vaccines’ safe and efficient delivery to strategic areas across the country while retaining their efficacy,” Koshikawa said.

“The fight against the pandemic continues until it is subdued. No country can surpass this public health challenge alone, but with Japan by your side to face it together, we will all emerge stronger and better,” Koshikawa pointed out.

With A$1.3 million (around P48.7 million) funding from the Australian government, UNICEF Philippines procured 30 solar-powered vaccine refrigerators, eight walk-in cold rooms, 20 sets of personal protective equipment (PPE) for the walk-in cold rooms and 106 sets of spare parts.

“This package of cold chain equipment is part of the Australian Government’s larger commitment to support the Philippines Government’s COVID-19 response,” Australian Ambassador Steven J. Robinson AO said.

“It will help ensure that those most at risk and other vulnerable members of the population have equal access to vaccines. Aside from bolstering the cold chain capacity of the country at the national and local levels, Australia is also supporting the improvement of information management systems as well as increasing the demand for COVID-19 vaccines,” Robinson said.