DOH weighing options whether to expand travel ban - Duque

Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Francisco Duque III is still weighing government options regarding the issue of whether or not to expand the travel ban to other countries with cases of novel coronavirus.

In an interview with ABS-CBN News channel, Secretary Duque said option would still need to undergo careful study.

“We have to look at the numbers also, we have to be careful because some of the numbers might be very few in some places and then there are countries reporting also,” Duque said.

Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Francisco Duque III
(photo credit to owner)

“So we might have to extend that ban to also all the other 17 other countries. So kailangan pagisipan maigi,” he added.

The DOH Secretary reveals that he would still need to meet with representatives from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Department of Justice (DOJ), Department of Interior and Local Governmen (DILG), Department of Tourism (DOT), and the Department of Transportation(DoTr).

“So lahat po yun ay pupulungin ko at kasi kahapon ang understanding or ang agreement is to impose a travel restriction only from Hubei. But we will see,” he said.

DOH Secretary said he is open to a ban on all travelers coming in from China, not only from Hubei province,  and this will be based on the latest risk assessment of the World Health Organization (WHO).

The WHO earlier declared the novel coronavirus outbreak a public emergency of international concern.

“We’ll see later on what the latest risk assessment is of the neighboring provinces of China if there are more cases and rapidly. We can consider that because the situation remains fluid, we’ll see,” he said.

What can you say about the article?

Share us your thoughts by simply leaving on the comment section below. For more news updates, feel free to visit our site often.

Stay updated with today's relevant news and trends by hitting the LIKE button.

Thanks for dropping by and reading this post.

Report from PDI

Disclaimer: Contributed articles does not reflect the view of THE PH CHRONICLES. This website cannot guarantee the legitimacy of some of the information contributed to us. You may do additional research if you find some information doubtful. No part of this article maybe reproduced without permission from this website.