Manila includes Taiwan in travel ban over nCOV

Manolo B. Jara, Correspondent

The Philippines on Tuesday included Taiwan in its expanded list of countries and territories covered by its  travel ban arising from its determined move to help prevent the  spread of the dreaded coronavirus (nCOV) that has already resulted in rising fears and alarm worldwide.

At least three of the country’s major airlines — Philippine Air Lines, Cebu Pacific and Air Asia —  announced they would stop their flights to Taiwan effective on Tuesday “until further notice” mainly for the health of their  passengers.

Taiwanese  officials immediately protested and said they would ask the Philippine government to reconsider its decision, citing reports that many of its nationals have been stranded by the ban.

Health Undersecretary Eric Domingo confirmed the order  covered Taiwan as part of the Duterte administration’s order issued in early February for the imposition of a travel ban from China as well as Hong Kong and Macau, its two special administrative regions.

Under the order, passengers arriving in Manila would be allowed entry if they are Filipino ciiizens or foreigners  granted permanent residency permits  but on condition they would undergo a 14-day quarantine.

Domingo explained Taiwanese nationals are covered by the ban because the Philippines and the World Health Organization (WHO) consider Taiwan as part of the People’s Republic of China.

“As far as the health community is concerned and the WHO is concerned, Taiwan is part of China,” Domingo told a media briefing, adding that the Philippines, like other countries in the world, has recognized the “one-China policy.”

Although they have no formal diplomatic relations, the Philippines and Taiwan have maintained “offices” to take care of their trade and economic relations as well as their visiting nationals and workers.

Data showed that more than 150,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are deployed in Taiwan, most of whom are working in factories as well as domestic helpers.

Reports also said that Taiwan played host to more than 400,000 Filipinos who flew in as tourists in 2020. And so with Taiwanese who also compose a significant slice in the Philippine tourism industry.

At the same time, Domingo reported that a total of 49 people under monitoring (PUMs) are undergoing quarntine at the Athletes Village in the town of Capas, Tarlac province in  Central which had been used in the recent Southeast Asian Games hosted by the Philippines.

Thirty two of them are repatriated OFWs from Wuhan, the capital city of Hubei in  China, the epicenter of the dreaded ailment, and composed of 14 femailes and 18 males,who arrived by chartered plane on Sunday,  Domingo reported.