Filtered By: Topstories
News
NCOV THREAT

Duterte to impose temporary ban on travelers from Hubei, says Senator Go


President Rodrigo Duterte has agreed to implement a temporary travel ban for persons coming from Wuhan City and the entire Hubei province in China to the Philippines amid the threat of the new coronavirus (nCoV), according to Senator Bong Go.

Go, Duterte's former aide, said in a statement that he raised the issue with the President as part of efforts to stem the spread of nCoV.

"Nais ko pong ipaalam sa publiko na nakausap ko po si Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte kanina at inirekomenda ko ang pag-impose ng temporary travel ban upang maprotektahan ang ating mga kababayan sa pagkalat ng Coronavirus. Sang-ayon po si Pangulo na iimplementa ang temporary travel ban sa mga manggagaling mula Wuhan city and the entire Hubei province ng China," Go said.

Wuhan City in Hubei, China is the epicenter of the 2019 novel coronavirus that reportedly originated in an illegal wildlife market. As of posting, the World Health Organization has declared the coronavirus outbreak as an international emergency.

There are about 7,800 cases globally and at least 172 deaths.

"The President and concerned government officials are also studying the possibility of imposing temporary travel restrictions for those coming from other places affected by the infection," Go added.

He also said that Duterte has scheduled a meeting with medical experts and key government officials next week.

The group, Go added, will "discuss all necessary measures to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus."

"Rest assured that the Duterte administration takes this threat seriously. I am appealing to the public to cooperate with authorities in order to ensure the safety of everyone," he said. — BAP, GMA News

LOADING CONTENT