Taiwan included in coronavirus travel ban – DOH

By CNN Philippines Staff

Published Feb 10, 2020 3:34:57 PM 56157

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 10)— Taiwan is included in the temporary travel ban
imposed by the Philippines, the Department of Health clarified on Monday.

Health spokesperson Eric Domingo said Taiwan is considered by the World Health Organization as
part of China. The East Asia giant and its special administrative regions Hong Kong and Macau are
included in the travel ban issued by the Philippines to prevent the spread of novel coronavirus.

He said the Taiwan travel ban was implemented late last week and not part of the initial order issued
by President Rodrigo Duterte on February 2. Duterte earlier banned the entry of foreign nationals
coming directly from China, Hong Kong, and Macau or those with travel history to those areas in the
last 14 days.

The national government also issued a temporary stop to Filipinos wishing to fly to China, Hong
Kong, and Macau. The inclusion of Taiwan in the travel ban means travel is also restricted for
Filipinos going to the self-administered island that China considers as its province.

"If you look at the WHO map and the number of cases that they have, Taiwan is included in China.
Since we have a temporary travel restriction and ban on China, then Taiwan is included... It is
enforced now," he said in a media briefing.

The restrictions only apply to incoming foreign travelers, and not Filipino citizens and holders of
permanent resident-visas issued by the Philippines. He said foreign nationals from Taiwan have been
turned away since February 7.

Domingo added Taiwan officials are asking the Philippine government to reconsider its inclusion in
the ban. He said the inter-agency task force will meet this week to discuss the issue.

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said ₱10,000 financial assistance will be given to Filipinos affected
by the travel ban. He said there are 120,000 documented overseas Filipino workers in Taiwan; this
excludes undocumented workers.
Taiwan included in
temporary travel
ban – DOH
By: Renzo Acosta - @inquirerdotnet
INQUIRER.net / 03:30 PM February 10, 2020

MANILA, Philippines — Taiwan is included in the Philippines’

expanded travel ban, Department of Health (DOH) Undersecretary Eric
Domingo said Monday.

Domingo clarified the matter amid “confusion” among members of the

Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging
Infectious Diseases on whether or not Taiwan is part of the temporary
travel ban issued by the Philippines on February 2.
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Domingo further explained that since President Rodrigo Duterte and

IATF’s resolution includes China, and since the World Health
Organization (WHO) follows the One-China policy, Taiwan is included
in the China travel ban.

The temporary travel ban covers visitors coming from mainland

China, Hong Kong, and Macau, and likewise bars Filipinos from
traveling to these countries. The Philippines imposed these travel
controls in a bid to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus.

“If you look at the WHO map and the number of cases that they have,
Taiwan is included in China,” said Domingo in a press conference
Monday. “So, since we have a temporary travel restriction and ban on
China, then Taiwan is included.”

“Nagkaroon ng confusion nung mga unang araw (There had been

confusion during the early days), but over the weekend, full
implementation na (already),” he also said. “It is enforced now.”
READ: IN DETAIL: Duterte’s temporary travel ban on visitors from
China, Hong Kong, Macau
According to Domingo, IATF will meet again on Wednesday, February
12, and among the issues to be discussed are the nuances of the travel
ban. He added that Taiwan has expressed its intention to appeal its
inclusion in the travel restriction.

Domingo reiterated that same with the protocol on passengers coming

from China, Hong Kong, and Macau, only Filipinos and holders of
permanent Philippine resident visas coming from Taiwan will be
allowed to enter the Philippines subject to a mandatory quarantine.

He also said the travel ban may still change since it is temporary and
that it is continuously being reassessed during IATF meetings.
Edited by KGA

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