Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 8) – The Department of Foreign Affairs team tasked to prepare the repatriation of Filipinos and their families from Wuhan, the Chinese city at the epicenter of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) outbreak, has handed out relief goods to their compatriots there.

The DFA said on Saturday that their team in Wuhan rented a vehicle “to visit neighborhoods with identified Filipino residents in travel-restricted Wuhan City, and distributed grocery items and other basic necessities.”

But health officials said that the Philippines’ repatriation team does need to wear the gear as long as they keep themselves away from crowded places and people suspected or confirmed to have 2019-nCoV.

Health Undersecretary Eric Domingo said that hazmats are only necessary for health workers treating patients.

The first batch of repatriates is expected to land at the Clark International Airport on Sunday. They will then be transported to the New Clark City, Tarlac, where they will be on mandatory quarantine for 14 days, which is said to be the incubation period of the 2019-nCoV. The DFA said Saturday that 56 persons, including seven spouses and four infants, may be evacuated, provided that they do not exhibit the flu-like symptoms, the red flag signs of the acute respiratory disease caused by the new coronavirus.

Earlier, the team, who has been securing the exit clearances of Filipinos who want to return to the Philippines, made the headlines, after going to the virus epicenter without hazmat suits or protective equipment against harmful substances. The 2019-nCoV has been proven to be contagious as the number of people it afflicts grows every day.