endIndex: Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 29) — The restriction on foreign nationals coming from 36 areas with confirmed cases of more transmissible COVID-19 variants will end on Sunday, Jan. 31, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said Friday. He did not say if new travel orders will be issued after the ban lapses. "The restriction remains until January 31, 2021 and would lapse after the aforesaid date," he added. The COVID-19 task force started to impose the travel ban on passengers coming from United Kingdom in late December to prevent the entry of new, more transmissible COVID-19 variants. It was later expanded to cover 36 jurisdictions with confirmed cases of emerging variants.