DOT issues guidelines to protect tourists vs 2019-nCoV

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Tourism (DOT) on Saturday released guidelines to protect guests in tourism establishments against the novel coronavirus acute respiratory disease, that originated from Wuhan City in China’s Hubei Province.

“The Department of Tourism (DOT) enjoins tourism enterprises such as accommodation establishments to take immediate protective measures to avoid, correct or remove imminent danger in areas where tourists are evidently at risk of infection,” read the statement.

Tourism enterprises are advised to follow these steps in handling guests with reported symptoms of the novel coronavirus:

1. Ask 3 questions indicated in DOH Decision Table below:

Decision Table

A. Have you recently (14 days) traveled to China or a country or place on the WHO list with local transmission or outbreak of 2019-nCoV?

B. Have you had recent contact with a person with a confirmed or suspected case of 2019-nCov?; and

C. Do you have such symptoms as fever greater than 38 degrees Celsius and flu-like symptoms such as cough, difficulty of breathing or shortness of breath?

2. If the guest answers YES to ANY of the questions, s/he shall be considered “probable nCoV” and must be referred to the nearest local health worker or government hospital for nCoV medical protocol.

3. If the guest answers NO to ALL of the questions, s/he shall be considered “negative nCoV”, but must be referred to a doctor to address symptoms.

DOT also ordered “stringent sanitation standards” in all tourism establishments such as in housekeeping, food, and beverage.

The Philippines recorded its first confirmed case of 2019-nCoV ARD. The patient, a Chinese tourist from Wuhan,  is now in isolation at the San Lazaro Hospital in Manila.

Globally, the novel coronavirus outbreak has already infected more than 9,800 people.

Edited by MUF