Quezon City slams Arayat’s travel ban

MANILA, Philippines — The Quezon City government yesterday assailed Arayat, Pampanga’s decision barring the entry of city residents and asked the municipality to overturn the move as it could cause undue panic and discrimination.

“We strongly denounce the Arayat local government’s decision to restrict the entry of Quezon City residents. The move is totally without basis, can cause undue panic and is tantamount to discrimination,” the local government said in a statement.

The city government explained that the traveler who tested positive for the new variant of COVID-19 did not set foot in Quezon City upon his return to the country from Dubai on Jan. 7.

“On Jan. 13, the local government and the city health department were informed by the Department of Health that the traveler was infected with new COVID-19 variant from the United Kingdom. Since Jan. 8, he has been undergoing treatment at a quarantine facility,” city hall said.

A total of 143 people identified as contacts of the traveler have since been quarantined, including 30 health workers who assisted the patient when he was transferred from the quarantine hotel in Manila to the isolation facility in Quezon City.

“All but one of the traveler’s eight co-passengers from Quezon City are under quarantine while awaiting their test results,” the local government said. “We appeal to the Arayat LGU to reconsider its order.”