Palace assessing situation in countries where travel ban is in force

February 17, 2020

Malacanang on Monday said they are regularly assessing the situation in countries where travel bans were issued.

“We assess regularly, look at Taiwan, the ban is lifted (and) now we are assessing travel ban on Macau and Hong Kong,” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said.

“If ban is lifted in Macau and Hong Kong, since that is part of China, that is good news for them,” he said.

Panelo made the statement after Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian urged the Philippine government to re-examine the travel ban  it earlier imposed on mainland China and its special administrative regions.

According to Panelo, President Rodrigo Duterte is looking at the safety of the Filipinos when it comes to announcing travel bans.

“We lift (the ban) in Taiwan because they showed how strict their protocols are. They have facilities, in other words, our fellow countrymen will be safe there,” he said.

Panelo said lifting travel ban in China and its other regions are undergoing studies and regular evaluation.

During his speech, Huang suggested that any decision that will be imposed to curb the spread of COVID-19 should be based on science.

“We hope to see scientific and calm response and scientific measures to be taken, to prevent the spread of the virus here. We hope there will be a reassessment of the situation so that unnecessary measures will be lifted,” he said.

“On the other hand, of course, we respect the decision of the government of the Philippines. I understand its concern to safeguard the health and safety of its people,” he added.

According to China’s National Health Commission, the death toll from corona virus is now at 1,770 while more than 70,500 were infected nationwide. Ella Dionisio/DMS