(Eagle News)–The government is mulling extending the temporary ban on travelers from Taiwan to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus. Health Undersecretary Gerardo Bayugo said the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases in the Philippines would discuss that possibility first. “It will still be subjected to a discussion and agreement among the member agencies of the inter-agency task force,” Bayugo said. So far, the government’s ban includes travelers from mainland […]
Tag: Travel ban
Gatchalian urges Filipinos to support local tourism amid temporary ban on travelers from China, Hong Kong, Macau
(Eagle News)–Senator Sherwin Gatchalian has urged the public to explore the country this year rather than go on a trip abroad, as he noted what he said could be the economic impact of the temporary ban on travelers from China and its special administrative regions on the Philippines’ tourism sector. In a statement, Gatchalian noted that Chinese tourists are the country’s second largest tourism market next to South Koreans. He said based on DOT records, […]
PAL: Special flights to ferry PAL passengers stranded by airline’s cancelled flights to, from China
(Eagle News) — The Philippine Airlines is mounting special flights to ferry passengers who were stranded as a result of the cancellation of PAL flights to and from mainland China for the month of February. In a statement, PAL said the special flights, which will be mounted on Feb. 10, Monday, will serve the Manila-Xiamen and Xiamen-Manila routes. PR 335 will leave Xiamen at 11:05 a.m. and will arrive in Manila at 1:50 p.m. on […]
China admits ‘shortcomings’ in virus response
by Jing Xuan Teng and Beiyi Seow Agence France-Presse BEIJING, China (AFP) — China’s top leadership has admitted “shortcomings and difficulties” in its response to the coronavirus outbreak, as state media said a new hospital built at breakneck pace began receiving patients in the epicenter of the crisis. Sixty-four new deaths were confirmed on Tuesday — surpassing Monday’s record to post the new biggest daily increase since the virus was detected late last year […]
DOLE: Gov’t to give assistance to OFWs affected by ban on travel to China, Hong Kong, Macau and other nCoV-affected areas
(Eagle News)–The government will provide assistance to Overseas Filipino Workers affected by the temporary ban on the travel to China, Hongkong, Macau and other declared affected areas. The Department of Labor and Employment said apart from the P10,000 cash assistance to each stranded OFW due to the ban, acting Secretary Renato Ebarle directed the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration to provide accommodation and transportation to each, based on the instruction of Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III. […]
Australia to refuse entry to non-citizens arriving from China
SYDNEY, Australia (AFP) — The Australian government on Saturday said it would bar non-citizens arriving from mainland China from entering the country under new measures to combat the spread of the coronavirus epidemic. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said only “Australian citizens, Australian residents, dependents, legal guardians or spouses” would be permitted into the country from mainland China from Saturday. “The arrangements are being put in place through our border authorities to ensure that that […]
Palace: Travel ban covers other places in China where there is spread of 2019-nCoV
(Eagle News) — The travel ban announced by President Rodrigo Duterte following the confirmation of the Philippines’ first novel coronavirus case also covers other places in China where there is “a spread of the disease, as officially confirmed by the Chinese government.” In a statement, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the temporary ban on travelers coming from those areas was upon the recommendation of Health Secretary Francisco Duque III. Earlier, Duterte, Senator Bong Go said, […]
DOH to recommend expansion of travel ban coverage to other Chinese provinces amid threat of novel coronavirus
(Eagle News) — The Department of Health will recommend the expansion of the temporary ban for travelers from Hubei, China to the Philippines to travelers from other Chinese provinces. Health spokesperson Eric Domingo, who read from a statement on Friday, Jan. 31, did not specifically say what these other provinces were but said the recommendation was as “new information on the increasing number of cases per region rises.” So far, Domingo said the number of […]
Novel coronavirus thrives in colder, less humid areas — Duque
(Eagle News) — The novel coronavirus thrives better in areas with low temperature and low humidity, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said on Friday, Jan. 31. According to Duque, who gave an interview over ANC, this was why China, Japan, Korea, the United States, Germany and France were the first ones to report cases of the 2019-nCoV. He said the virus was relatively easier to control in a tropical country like the Philippines. “I believe […]
Palace: President Duterte’s announced US travel ban covers his family, too
(Eagle News)–Members of the family of President Rodrigo Duterte are also covered by his announced travel ban to the United States. This is according to Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo, who revealed the details of the ban Duterte said he would ask Cabinet members to follow on Thursday, Jan. 30. According to Panelo, exempted from the ban was Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. He said the ban includes both personal and family trips. “Oo. Huwag […]
Lacson: Indefinite US travel ban on Cabinet members could have adverse consequences on PHL economy, security
(Eagle News)–Senator Panfilo Lacson on Thursday, Jan. 30, said an indefinite travel ban on Cabinet members to the United States could have adverse consequences on our country’s economy and security. In a short statement, Lacson said the Philippines was, after all, exporting “at least $10 billion worth of goods annually to the US, and accounts for 52 percent of the total US military support and assistance to the entire Asia-Pacific region.” According to Lacson, there […]
Sotto: 2 US senators’ proposal to ban entry of PHL gov’t officials a violation of US Constitution
(Eagle News)–The proposal to ban the entry to the United States of Philippine government officials allegedly behind the detention of Senator Leila de Lima is a violation of the US Constitution. This is according to Senate President Tito Sotto, who slammed US Senators Richard Durbin and Patrick Leahy, who were reportedly behind the amendment to the Fiscal Year 2020 State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill that seeks the travel ban. “Article 1, section 9 (paragraph) […]
