Filipinos checked for coronavirus on arrival home

Passengers arriving at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) are being monitored through a scanning machine to ensure that they are free from coronavirus, according to a Filipino passenger from Saudi Arabia.
“It was after I heard the news on the radio that coronavirus has spread to other countries that I realized why incoming passengers are being subjected to a health-scan,” she told Arab News from Manila last night.
The Philippine Embassy confirmed that the government is ensuring that all passengers arriving in Manila and other airports are free from the virus.
“We have not yet received any confirmation on any changes for passengers arriving at the NAIA and other airports,” Ambassador Ezzedin H. Tago told Arab News.
Eight cases of the virus have been identified in different countries including Saudi Arabia, Germany, the United Kingdom and France, the Philippine News Agency (PNA) quoted the World Health Organization as saying.
Earlier, a local Arabic newspaper reported that the Philippine government is closely monitoring travelers coming into the country from Saudi Arabia.
Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte told dzBB Radyo ng Bayan (Radio of the Country) that the Department of Health is aware of the spread of the SARS-like virus particularly in the Middle East and the department is closely coordinating with the WHO to fight the disease.
He reassured the public that the government is on top of the situation and Health Secretary Enrique Ona is well aware of the coronavirus. “At this point, we see no need for a heightened alert, other than the normal procedures that we are conducting at the airport. And this is for all, not just for those traveling from the Middle East,” Valte said.