Bureau of Immigration stops issuing visas on arrival to Chinese nationals amid nCoV fears

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) will temporarily stop issuing tourist visas on arrival to Chinese nationals to help ensure the country remained free of the new coronavirus, its head said on Tuesday.

"We are taking this proactive measure to slow down travel, and possibly help prevent the entry of the 2019-nCov," Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said in a statement.

Morente's statement came as the number of persons under investigation (PUI) for possible infection of the novel coronavirus (nCoV) in the country has climbed to 24, according to the Department of Health.

Authorities earlier said they continue to monitor more patients across the country who show symptoms related to the infection, aside from the first suspected cases in Kalibo, Aklan involving three Chinese children.

Earlier reports said five PUIs are being monitored in Muntinlupa, Pasay, and Manila including the new three suspected patients admitted at San Lazaro Hospital.

El Nido in Palawan, Mambajao in Camiguin, and Tacloban City in Leyte also have a PUI each, while three three PUIs are reported in Cebu City although one of them has already been discharged.

The virus outbreak, which began in the central Chinese city of Wuhan in December, has infected more than 4,000 people in China and killed more than 100.

Cases have also been confirmed in Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Nepal and the United States. 

There are no confirmed cases in the Philippines.  

The suspension of the VUA facility aims to slow down the influx of Chinese group tours, Morente said, though he made clear that there is no order barring Chinese nationals from entering the country.

Issued to endorsed investors, businessmen, athletes, delegates to sports competitions and international conventions, and tour groups, the temporary visitor's visa upon arrival (TV-VUA) has encouraged the arrival of tourists and translated to "tangible economic benefits," according to a recent Department of Justice circular.

The TV-VUA is effective for a period of not more than 30 days. No extensions or renewals are allowed.

It has earlier been reported that the BI has been denying VUA applications of tour groups from Wuhan, the epicenter of the virus outbreak.

Morente said it would be the Department of Foreign Affairs or the Office of the President, as advised by the Department of Health, that will decide foreign policy changes in relation to the virus scare. — Reuters with Nicole-Anne Lagrimas/RSJ/ KBK/GMA News