Screening tightened for FLIRT variants

The Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ) has adopted stricter measures in screening tourists and balikbayans coming from countries where the new COVID-19 variants have been detected.

- RHODINA VILLANUEVA

In Memorandum 2024-48, BOQ director Ferdinand Salcedo ordered all BOQ stations to conduct a careful screening of incoming travelers following reports that the KP.2 and KP.3 variants of COVID-19 are spreading globally. KP.2 and KP.3 are part of a newly discovered subvariant identified as "FLIRT"  a novel virus that is spreading globally.

They came from the JN.1 subvariant, which first became known in late 2023 and was responsible for this year's earlier increase in infection.

"In light of this, all stations have been directed to conduct thorough screening at points of entry for arriving visitors originating from countries where COVID FLIRT incidents have been detected," Salcedo noted.