Improper to single out China on travel ban due to nCoV scare —Bong Go

It will be improper for Philippine authorities to ban the entry of travelers from China on account of the novel coronavirus outbreak, Senator Bong Go said on Thursday.

In a statement, the chairman of the Senate Committee on Health said President Rodrigo Duterte had yet to decide whether to restrict travelers from the country, where over a hundred have died due to the illness.

"Sa ngayon, wala pa pong desisyon ang ating Pangulo na i-ban yung pagpasok ng lahat ng Chinese nationals kasi hindi lang naman po ang China ang tinamaan ng virus na ito. May ibang bansa rin po na tinamaan," Go said.

"It will not be proper if we will single out on China alone," he added.

Go is a Duterte's former special assistant until he ran and won a seat in the Senate. He remains a close confidante of the Chief Executive.

"I am in agreement with DOH and we will recommend, if necessary, to impose temporary restrictions of travel for those from the entire province of Hubei while assessing if there is a need to add to the list with travel restrictions more places affected by the infection," Go said. —NB, GMA News