2 Pinays leave Wuhan hours before lockdown due to novel coronavirus

Two Filipinos from Wuhan, China escaped the city mere hours before it implemented a lockdown to prevent the spreading of the 2019 novel coronavirus to other areas.

Bhie and Cindy learned of the planned lockdown at 6 a.m., according to an exclusive report by Stand for Truth reporter Anthony Esguerra on 24 Oras.

"This midnight, we received a message from a friend that was in Chinese. It says that the government will implement a lock-down at 10 in the morning. All the airports, the train stations, subway, buses, ferries, they will lock it down at 10 a.m.," Bhie said.

According to Bhie, they booked a car and drove to the city.

"We're feeling like a bit safe now cause we have left the city. Wuhan, na ngayon ay naka-lockdown na. It was really chaos. It was like an apocalypse. We actually thought we're never gonna get out of Wuhan this morning," Bhie said.

The pair will temporarily stay in Hongkong before flying to Manila. Once in the country, they said they are open to being medically examined and, if needed, quarantined.

"So for me and my partner, we're willing. Mas maganda nga yung early detection so you can cure it," Bhie said.

Though Bhie and Cindy chose to leave, a University of the Philippines professor chose to stay behind to prevent spreading the virus.

"Because I'm coming from Wuhan, I don't want to be the carrier of anything. As far as I know, I don't have the virus with me. Pero, syempre for safety, para hindi na lang din magkaroon ng worries or other concerns," Robert Go said.

According to Go, establishments such as restaurants are closed in Wuhan due to the outbreak while public events have been cancelled.

"There's no more time to go if ever I will, kasi nga nag shutdown as of 10 a.m. today. Also, wala naman din akong plans to go out of Wuhan. And buying tickets last minute, mahirap na rin makakuha," he said.

The 2019 virus originated in Wuhan.

According to the Philippine Embassy in Beijing, there are only 4 registered Filipinos in the area. They added that no Filipino in Wuhan was infected with the coronavirus.

"As far as we know, there are no reported Filipinos who's been infected or who's been hospitalized," Jose Sta. Roman, the Philippine Ambassador to China, said.

However, they said that they are ready and willing to lend a hand. —Joahna Casilao/NB, GMA News