Travelers from South Korea to be monitored

A group of Korean nationals recently left Iloilo City after an event they were expected to attend was canceled by the city government due to concerns surrounding the coronavirus disease, or Covid-19. According to Dr. Roland Jay Fortuna, the city government’s focal person on Covid-19, the City Health Office and Bureau of Immigration personnel traced the foreign nationals earlier this week, who were subsequently checked.
According to the city official, none of them showed any sign of illness.
“Waay naman nadayun ang event so nag-decide na lang sila nga mapuli (Their event was not going to proceed and they decided to return home),” he explained. “Awaiting ako sang confirmation from Bureau of Immigration regarding kon nakagwa na sila (I am awaiting confirmation from the Bureau of Immigration regarding their exit).”
Fourteen have since flown back via Kalibo International Airport while the remaining five will be flying out of Iloilo International Airport.
Meanwhile, the Iloilo provincial government said they will be monitoring individuals who recently traveled to South Korea following that country’s recent surge of Covid-19 cases.
“The situation in South Korea places it in the same category as China,” explained Governor Arthur Defensor, Jr.
Additionally, a family of 12 visiting Iloilo City from South Korea was recently requested to self-quarantine.
While Fortuna noted they understood the situation, they opted to return home.
Despite the Philippines earlier announcing a travel ban to South Korea, Bureau of Immigration spokesperson Dana Sandoval explained to CNN Philippines, “Permanent residents of South Korea, Filipinos leaving for study, and overseas Filipino workers returning to work will be allowed to go to South Korea.”/WDJ