Manila had announced his project last week to allow the entry of nationals of many countries again from December 1, with a concern to energize an economy strongly tested by the pandemic.We will still have to wait.But the government's working group on the fight against COVVI-19 (IATF) changed policy during the weekend, announcing the suspension of thefts of seven European countries in addition to the ban on arrivals of African countries, decided a little earlier.Until now, the Philippines have not recorded any cases of the Omicron variant, identified for the first time in South Africa.

At the same time, a new three -day vaccination campaign is launched, in order to accelerate dose injections to over 12 years of age.

Blow for tourist operators in the country

"The IATF found it necessary to suspend the entry of foreign tourists, given the global concerns concerning the omicron variant," said the commissioner of the immigration office on Monday, Jaime Morente.This decision is a blow for tourist operators in the country, devastated by a fall in the number of international visitors and restrictions on interior travel since the border closure in March 2020.

Tourism is an important sector of the Philippine economy, counting for almost 13% of GDP in 2019, thanks to eight million visitors, according to official statistics.This share in national activity dropped to 5.4% last year due to a decline of 82% of arrivals to 1.48 million.

The government has softened the restrictions in recent weeks, while the infection rate has been due to the lowest from the start and the vaccination rate increases.

Almost a third of the 110 million inhabitants are fully vaccinated.The appearance of the omicron variant in the world is feared the implementation of new restrictions.The Philippines have recorded 2.8 million infections since the start of the pandemic and 48,000 dead.

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