Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 6) — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said personnel from their office are now in Wuhan, the epicenter of the novel coronavirus outbreak, but added they do not have the necessary equipment to keep themselves safe from contamination.
In a statement released Thursday evening the DFA said members of the Philippine Consulate in Beijing have met with the Filipino community as well as the Foreign Affairs Office in Hubei to discuss details of the operation.
Speaking at a joint press conference with the Department of Health (DOH) Thursday, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Brigido Dulay said, “Today, we already have our DFA team inside the hot zone, they have entered Wuhan City today and they are there working on the ground preparing for the repatriation of our OFWs (overseas Filipino workers). Unfortunately, I have to give credit to our people, they are on the ground and they are taking the risk. Because they are going on the ground really basically bare, without the hazmat (suits), but they’ve taken on the task and I salute them.”
A hazmat suit is a type of protective equipment meant to shield the wearer from substances that could pose danger.
Dulay added DFA personnel are talking to Chinese authorities and FIlipinos in the area to “fix the repatriation.”
“The details…are still being fleshed out as of today because there are a lot of permits and clearances that we need to follow,” he said.
Dulay said there were 45 Filipinos so far who have indicated they want to come home. He added they were working closely with Chinese authorities to make sure the repatriation efforts proceed smoothly.
The DFA is working for Filipinos to leave on February 9. However, that date could change as protocol set by the Chinese government, Dulay said.
At the same press conference, Health Secretary Francisco Duque said Filipinos returning from novel coronavirus-hit Hubei province in China wil be temporarily quarantined in facilities used last year for the Southeast Asian Games.
Duque said procedures and protocols have been set for the repatriation of Filipinos in the center of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCov) outbreak. They will stay for 14 days in Building A of the Athletes’ Village in New Clark City while medical staff will stay in another building.
The government initially wanted the drug rehabilitation center in Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija as quarantine facility, until the Bases Conversion and Development Authority offered the sports center.
