BI stops entry of 370 foreigners amid nCoV outbreak

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has barred 370 foreigners from entering the country amid the 2019 novel coronavirus outbreak, Jun Veneracion reported in 24 Oras on Monday.

The BI said all 370 foreigners attempted to enter the Philippines through different routes not covered by the travel ban.

The travel restrictions imposed by Malacañang temporarily ban the entry of foreigners who traveled to China, Hong Kong, and Macau 14 days prior to their arrival in the Philippines.

The Department of Health announced on Monday that the ban also covers Taiwan.

The BI said immigration officers rely on the stamps on passengers’ passports to determine their travel history.

“Kung makita po na wala po ang palatandaan na ‘yun, it would be a reason po for the immigration officer to conduct further interviews and investigation at verification para malaman po kung ano ba talaga at saan po talaga siya galing,” Immigration spokesperson Dana Krizia Sandoval said.

Nineteen immigration officers who earlier boarded cruise ships from China have been placed under home quarantine. —Julia Mari Ornedo/LDF, GMA News