The Bureau of Quarantine has assured the public that airlines have been reminded of health safety procedures following the threat of a new coronavirus originating from Wuhan, China.
This came after a five-year-old boy from Wuhan, China has been tested positive for the virus.
“We have scheduled meetings with airlines. We are reminding the airlines and other partners that a universal protective kit should be available anytime onboard,” BOQ chief Ferdinand Salcedo said in a press conference.
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Salcedo added that passengers experiencing light symptoms may consult the Bureau of Quarantine upon their arrival from in the airport.
Health Undersecretary Eric Domingo noted said that they are now conducting exit screening to monitor passengers from Wuhan.
“China is now screening passengers from Wuhan. Before they leave Wuhan, they screen them. If anybody is ill, they don’t let them board the plane. Quarantine officers are working,” Domingo said.
Almost 200 individuals have been affected by the new coronavirus strain.
Health Secretary Francis Duque said that there is no need for travel restrictions and authorities must be alert on the possible new coronavirus infection.
“We don’t see that in the short term. There are still blind spots in so far as this particular coronavirus is concerned, we just have to be on alert and take all the recent information as they become,” Duque said.
Duque also added that Chinese officials will continue to provide DOH with updates on the new coronavirus.
