MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine government’s inter-agency task force (IATF) in charge of handling the novel coronavirus crisis has announced and decided on Friday, February 14, to lift the travel ban imposed on Taiwan due to the virus.

A piece of great news to some local organizers as there are now players flying out to the Philippines to join the World Poker tour being held in Okada.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said, referring to the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease. was quoted saying

“The lifting of travel restrictions for Taiwan has been agreed by the members of the IATF by reason of the strict measures they (Taiwan) are undertaking, as well as the protocols they are implementing to address the COVID-19,”

Panelo said the lifting of the ban is “effective immediately.”

“Accordingly, travel may now be made by any national to Taiwan from the Philippines and vice versa,”

Malacañang’s announcement came 4 days after the Department of Health announced that Taiwan was covered by the ban imposed by the Philippines on mainland China and its special administrative regions to prevent the spread of the virus due to the Philippines practice of One China policy. The World Health Organization recognizes it as part of China.

The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines has denounced the move since Monday, saying Taiwan was “wrongly included” in the ban.

Philippines health secretary Duque Said.

“(This is) purely on public health and safety, and of course the need to see whether there is a threat or increased risk if we didn’t allow the travel from Taiwan to the Philippines,” 

source Rappler