Philippines bans entry of foreigners from China, its SARs

February 2, 2020

President Rodrigo Duterte on Sunday ordered temporary ban of visitors from mainland China and its Special Administrative Regions amid developing cases of novel coronavirus in the country.

Following the World Health Organization's declaration of global emergency due to the Novel Coronavirus Acute Respiratory Disease last Friday, Duterte approved the guidelines recommended by the Inter-agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease.

The Department of Health (DOH) also confirmed first death due to the Novel Coronavirus in the country.

According to a statement by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, the president has approved the following guidelines:

1. Temporarily banning the entry of any person, regardless of nationality, except Filipino citizens and holders of Permanent Resident Visa issued by the Philippine Government, directly coming from China and its Special Administrative Regions;

2. Temporarily banning the entry of any person, regardless of nationality, except Filipino citizens and holders of Permanent Resident Visa issued by the Philippine Government, who within 14 days immediately preceding arrival in the Philippines, has been to China and its Special Administrative Regions;

3. A mandatory 14 day quarantine for Filipinos and Permanent Resident Visa holders coming from any place in China and its Special Administrative Regions;

4. Temporary ban on Filipinos from travel to China and its Special Administrative Regions; and

5. Establishment of a repatriation and quarantine facility.

"The Task Force was also given the authority, if necessary, to ban the entry of travelers from other areas with confirmed widespread 2019-nCOV ARD," Medialdea added.

All heads of departments, agencies, offices, instrumentalities of the government, Government Owned or Controlled Corporation (GOCCs), Government Financial Institutions (GFIs), State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), and Local Government Organizations (LGUs) were instructed to comply with the approved guidelines to ensure the safety of everyone.

Medialdea also said the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) are on stand by for necessary assistance.

Duterte has scheduled a meeting with the Task Force and other concerned agencies on Monday to address the ongoing situation.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo urged everyone to follow regularl hand washing and wearing of surgical masks when going around crowded places to prevent chances of getting infected with the virus. Cristina Eloisa Baclig/DMS