Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 29) — Philippine Ambassador to China Chito Sta. Romana advised Filipinos residing in Wuhan, China on Tuesday, to stay put and avoid further exposure to the virus by going outdoors.
But according to him, the government also offers an option of repatriation for those who intend to come home.
“Stay safe and sound where you are. Avoid going outside the house. Avoid social contact with people who might be affected. Stay healthy. Stay put as much as possible.”
At present, there are 30 to 50 Filipinos in Wuhan –- the ground zero of the novel coronavirus — who expressed intent to head home.
“I can understand the feelings of our countrymen, that’s why we try to keep in contact with them to make sure they are safe and sound.” Sta. Romana said.
He advised those who want to fly back home to weigh their decisions, including the risks of being further exposed to the virus by traveling. He added that they will not be able to reunite with their families immediately when they arrive in the country as they have to undergo a period of quarantine.
University of the Philippines professor Jan Robert Go presently resides in Wuhan as he studies his doctorate degree in Political Theory, and is one out of the two Filipino students in his university.
According to Go, he stays in his dormitory all the time unless he has to buy food at a nearby grocery store. He is one of the Filipinos who chose to stay.
“As far as our university is concerned, no one has contracted the virus yet inside the university. So more or less, it’s safe inside the university,” he told CNN Philippines.
There have been no confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in the Philippines.
