On January 1, local time, Harry Roque, spokesman of the Philippine Presidency, said that based on the joint recommendation of the Philippine Department of Health and the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Philippine Presidency has decided to restrict the entry of travelers from the United States from the early hours of January 3, 2021 until January 15 to prevent the entry of the mutated New Coronavirus into the Philippines. Also, foreign travelers will be barred from entry if they have visited the United States within the last 14 days prior to their arrival in the Philippines.

In addition, foreign travelers from the U.S. or who have visited the U.S. within the past 14 days may enter the Philippines if they arrived before January 3. Upon entry, travelers are subject to strict vaccination rules and must undergo a mandatory 14-day quarantine at a quarantine facility designated by the Philippine government, even if they test negative for New Coronavirus. Filipino citizens are not affected by this restriction and may enter the Philippines, but must also undergo a 14-day mandatory quarantine.

The Philippine Presidency has announced that the government has decided to extend the national state of disaster already in place until September 12, 2021, in light of the ongoing new crown epidemic in the country. Unless a new decree cancels or continues to extend this state earlier.