Dota 2’s The International 10 has been fraught with travel restrictions due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The event was moved to Bucharest, Romania because of the country’s relaxed COVID regulations. Officials thought that this would be the first time audiences would be able to return to LAN since the start of the pandemic. Increased numbers led to the event being shut down to audiences.
Now, with the event finished countless players are stuck in Romania. Before the end of TI10, the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, stationed out of The Philippines, released an updated list of countries restricted from entry.
Romania is listed as ‘red’ on this updated list, meaning it is treated with the highest level of scrutiny. Travel to the Philippines from Romania is strictly prohibited. This mandate was put in place October 16th, meaning that all players from the Philippines who had booked their flights back home on October 18th will not be able to make the trip back home.
Players from Evil Geniuses, Fnatic, and T1 have all found themselves trapped in Bucharest as COVID-19 continue to spike. The Philippines government is treating red countries with extreme caution. Residents who have traveled in Romania in the past 14 days are not allowed entry into the country unless they have a government approved reason.
The only option for players now is to travel to another country, quarantine for 14 days, provide proof to the Philippines government, and then make the trip back. Though The International 10 is over, many players will have much longer journeys home.
Also read:
- How strong is DPC Europe? – Looking ahead to The International 10
- Dota 2 – Why SEA has a Real Shot at The International 10
- Dota 2: TI10 Power Rank – Who will lift the Aegis in Bucharest?
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Image Credit: T1