U.K.-bound OFWs must show Covid-free status

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FOREIGN travelers, including overseas Filipino workers (OFW), must now be tested for Covid-19 before they can enter the United Kingdom (UK), according to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

Citing the report from the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO), DOLE spokesman Rolly Francia said the new requirement took effect on January 18, 2021.

“Starting at 4 am today UK time, all [travelers] who will be entering London must present proof that they are negative  for Covid. This includes incoming OFWs,” Francia said at a press briefing on Monday.

He said the requirement will also take effect for those traveling in other areas in UK and violators will be fined 10,000 pounds.

The British government implemented the new policy after it recently registered a surge in the number of infected cases, especially after a new more infectious variant of Covid-19, B117, spread among its population.

As of January 17, 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported 3.3 million confirmed cases of Covid-19 in UK.

International Labor Affairs Bureau (ILAB) Director Alice Visperas said there are currently 1,203 OFWs, who were infected with Covid-19 in UK. Most of them are nurses.

Of the Covid-infected OFWs, 79 were reported only between January 14 and 17.

Visperas said they have yet to get reports of any OFW who tested positive for B117.  Samuel P. Medenilla