MANILA — Senator Risa Hontiveros on Friday urged the government to impose a temporary travel ban for at least 30 days who came from or passed through Wuhan, China, due to the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV).

“I urge the government to impose a temporary travel ban on all individuals for at least 30 days who came from or have passed through Wuhan, China, in light of the asymptomatic nature and lengthy incubation period of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV), as determined by health authorities,” said Hontiveros in  statement.

Flights suspended to Wuhan

Hontiveros said this call is on top of the Civil Aeronautics Board’s recent suspension of all flights from Wuhan to the Philippines.

In addition, authorities must place residents of Wuhan presently in the country and those with flu-like symptoms who have traveled through China in the past 14 days under health surveillance, she said.

“I also strongly urge these individuals to self-quarantine and to report to health authorities any sign of sickness for appropriate medical observation and proper treatment,” said Hontiveros.

She stressed that this is a global concern that needs international cooperation.

“It is of the utmost importance that we consider similar precautionary measures being taken by Taiwan, Singapore and our other neighboring countries. I urge that we immediately implement measures that support the Chinese authority’s decision to ban travel to and from Wuhan to contain the virus as much as possible,” said Hontiveros. (SA/IAMIGO/Currentph.com)