Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 31) — The Department of Foreign Affairs said the first batch of Filipinos from China will be repatriated next week amid the outbreak of novel coronavirus or 2019-nCoV.
“The DFA intends to repatriate the first batch of Filipinos next week subject to China’s rules on disease containment, including immigration clearances, quarantine process, among others,” said DFA in a statement.
The agency said Filipinos from Wuhan City in Hubei province, where the virus originated, will be given priority in the repatriation.
“Filipinos who wish to be included in the first batch should contact the Philippine Embassy in Beijing or the nearest Consulate General in their area by 3 February 2020, Monday.”
DFA said that the repatriates will be subjected to 14 days of mandatory quarantine per guidelines of the Department of Health (DOH).
DFA Undersecretary Brigido Dulay recently said the government has already prepared two charter planes to fly to Hubei province to bring Filipinos home.
Philippine Ambassador to China Chito Sta. Romana earlier said about 30 to 50 Filipinos from Hubei have indicated they want to leave the province. Sta. Romana said there are 300 Filipinos in Hubei, half of them in Wuhan..
The World Health Organization already declared public health emergency of international concern over the global outbreak of the virus.
