The Philippines extended its prohibition on travelers coming from India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Oman, and United Arab Emirates, announced Malacañang on Monday, May 31.

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Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said the extension was approved by President Rodrigo Duterte, who held a meeting with pandemic task forec officials earlier that day.

The travel prohibitions are part of measures to stem the entry of the B1617 variant first reported in India and which has been declared by the World Health Organization as a variant of concern.

The travel ban on India had been in place since April 29 and was set to end on Friday, May 14. It was extended until May 31, along with restrictions for travelers from Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Nepal introduced on May 7.

Oman and UAE were included on May 14 to the list of countries covered by the ban. – Rappler.com