BEIJING — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said Thursday that imposing travel restrictions on inbound travelers from China should be “based on science.”
“I think we have to do it again based on science. If there is a… you know the approach I’ve taken when it comes to what remains of our COVID response is to assess the actual risk factors,” Marcos said when asked if he would already impose travel restrictions on inbound travelers from China.
“Is there really a risk? Example, if a Chinese national has tested three times already to be negative and that’s what 48 hours before they travel, hindi na sila kailangan i-test but if they have not been tested, we will ask them to be tested before they get on the plane. Nothing new, ganoon na rin ang ginagawa natin ngayon eh. We’re not only doing it for China, we do it for other countries who we feel have higher risk factor than the Philippines,” he added.
Pres. Marcos is certain that even the Chinese government would not allow COVID-infected patients to depart China.
“‘Yun lang naman ang ano eh, ano ba talaga ang risk, huwag tayong gumagawa ng rules na sagabal pa sa ating ginagawa, gusto nating mag-tourist, gusto nating magpadala ng… the problem is the management of COVID here in China sa ngayon, so sila man sabi nila hindi naman immediate makakabiyahe na naman ang Chinese nationals kaya’s siguro in the meantime, we just watch and wait. I’m sure hindi naman sila magpapaalis ng tao na positive,” he said.
The President, meanwhile, said he learned that personnel in the Philippine Embassy in China have been infected with COVID-19.
“Ang pinakamalaking problema ‘yung sa foreign service dahil marami sa mga embassy natin, mga consulate natin talagang tinamaan,” Marcos said.
He, however, said these personnel, including diplomats, have found a way around the lockdown and just work from home. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News
Storya Ni Juan Official 