An arrivals board shows a cancelled flight from London at Fiumicino airport after the Italian government announced all flights to and from the UK would be suspended over fears of a new strain of the coronavirus, amid the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Rome, Italy, Dec. 20, 2020. (Photo: Remo Casilli, Reuters)

Duterte approved on Tuesday the flight suspension from Dec. 24 at 12:01 a.m., until Dec. 31, said his spokesman Harry Roque. 

"All passengers who have been in the UK within fourteen (14) days immediately preceding arrival to the Philippines, including those merely in transit, are also temporarily restricted from entering the country for the same period," Roque said in a statement. 

"On the other hand, passengers already in transit from the UK and all those who have been to the UK within 14 days immediately preceding arrival to the Philippines, who arrive before 12:01AM of December 24, 2020, shall not be subject to entry restriction, but they would be required to undergo stricter quarantine and testing protocols," he added.

These protocols include a 14-day quarantine at the Athlete’s Village in the New Clark City in Tarlac and a negative RT-PCR test result, Roque said.