DFA to bring home Filipinos in China

AMID health concerns brought about by the 2019 novel coronavirus (nCoV), the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is set to repatriate next week the first batch of Filipinos in China wishing to go home.

“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,” a public advisory issued by the Department Thursday night said.

“Filipinos in Wuhan City and the rest of Hubei province will be afforded priority in the first batch of repatriates,” the advisory said.

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 February 3  , Monday, it added.

Upon arrival in the Philippines, Filipino repatriates will be subjected to 14 days of mandatory quarantine.

About 50 Filipinos have expressed intention to be repatriated prompting the Philippine government to put on standby two chartered flights that will be used to fly Filipinos out of Hubei Province.

On Wednesday, Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretaries Meynardo Montealegre, Frank Ferrer, and Chinese Consul General Luo Gang met where the latter assured sufficient food supply and medical facilities for all including foreigners.

Those who wish to stay in China should heed advisories from local health authorities, and cooperate with efforts to prevent the further spread of nCoV.

Filipinos in the affected areas needing medical assistance and treatment were urged to go to the nearest medical facility and seek proper medical care, including treatment and quarantine.