Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 8) — The government team tasked with bringing home Filipinos from Hubei, China has already left for Wuhan — the Chinese city at the center of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) outbreak.
The team composed of members of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Department of Health left the Philippines Saturday evening Filipinos at the Wuhan Tianhe International Airport. The DFA at 8 p.m. said there were 26 Filipinos already waiting at the airport, while ten more were on their way to join them.
While there, the team will also drop off 52 boxes of relief goods from the DFA, to be distributed to residents of Hubei province, where Wuhan is located.
Earlier, the DFA and the DOH said returning Filipinos would have to be checked for flu-like symptoms before they board the plane. Those who have fever, cough or other symptoms will not be allowed to join the batch and will have to be taken by Chinese authorities to their facilities for treatment.
Filipinos cleared for travel will land in Clark International Airport by Sunday early morning. Health Secretary Francisco Duque said they will undergo another screening upon arrival. Those with symptoms will be isolated at the Jose B. Lingad Hospital in San Fernando, Pampanga. On the other hand, those without symptoms will stay at Athletes’ Village in New Clark City, Tarlac. They will remain quarantined there for 14 days.
There are about 300 Filipinos working in Hubei province. The DFA initially said 56 of them sought to return to the Philippines as the number of deaths and cases continues to rise. However, before the team left for China, the DFA said several have backed out at the last moment, due to issues with their visas and immigration status.
