Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 17) — Days after the lifting of the Taiwan travel ban due to the new coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, Filipino workers have also appealed for the government to lift the temporary travel ban on Hong Kong and Macau.
Overseas Filipino workers have been wishing to return to their jobs in Hong Kong and Macau. The travel ban to China was implemented on February 2, which has affected at least 25,000 Filipino workers.
The Hong Kong government has placed at least seven Filipinos in mandatory 14-day quarantine. Three of them have been released and have returned to their places of employment.
Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian said that the travel ban imposed by the Philippines will inevitably have a negative impact on the economy of the country.
“China is now the Philippines’ top trading partner, the largest source of imports as well as the third export market. In this sense, the epidemic, especially the travel ban imposed by the Philippine government would inevitably have negative impact on the Philippine economy,” he said.
Last Friday, the Philippines decided to lift the travel restrictions on Taiwan because of the strict measures being undertaken by the self-governed island to contain the spread of COVID-19.
READ: Philippines lifts Taiwan travel ban
Taiwan was included in the travel ban ordered by President Rodrigo Duterte, as the Philippines follows a One-China policy that recognizes Beijing and limits dealings with Taiwan to economic and cultural ties.
CNN Philippines’ David Santos contributed to this report.
