DOLE mulls deployment ban to China amid nCoV concerns

January 28, 2020

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said Tuesday that it is mulling over the possibility of imposing a deployment ban to China, amid the rapid spread of the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) there. 

"It is under study," said Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III when asked if they are now looking at temporarily stopping OFW deployment to China.

For her part, Blas Ople Center head Susan Ople said imposing a deployment ban to China would be unwise. 

Ople said it would be better for the DOLE to coordinate with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and Department of Health (DOH) before making a decision. 

"In crises like this, it's best to defer to our best medical experts and our diplomatic posts," said Ople in a separate interview. 

The possibility of a deployment ban comes as the number of confirmed 2019-nCoV cases continue to rise worldwide, most of which are in China. 

There are 82 people dead and more than 2,700 cases have been confirmed in mainland China and 13 other countries and territories. DMS