Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 5) — President Rodrigo Duterte has threatened to sack airport personnel after he received reports that some people are easily slipping into the country despite travel restrictions.
“I say this now as I have said it before: Do not do it kasi mayayari talaga kayo,” he said in his late-night address on Monday. “You do it by allowing unauthorized travel when all of us are really worried of containing the contamination.”
Philippines authorities are temporarily banning the entry of foreign travelers from countries and territories that have confirmed cases of the new COVID-19 variant believed to be more contagious. The ban will last until January 15, with the United States as the most recent addition to the growing list.
This variant is linked to the recent surge of coronavirus cases in England.
Meanwhile, Duterte also ordered Bureau of Internal Revenue Chief Cesar Dulay to reshuffle officers after reading the list of personnel dismissed from service due to pending cases.
