DOH wants deferred arrival of Pinoys from China, more time to prep quarantine site

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) is calling for the deferred arrival of repatriated Filipinos from Wuhan, China, the epicenter of the 2019 novel coronavirus outbreak to complete the preparation of quarantine facilities at Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija.

“Supposedly Saturday, tentative, pero baka magkaroon ng delay ng 2 days dahil ito ngang mga lugar natin, tinitignan na dapat handang handa na,” DOH Secretary Francisco Duque said Thursday in an interview on dzMM.

(Supposedly, they will arrive on Saturday but there might be a two-day delay because we are still preparing.)

“Kami, nakiusap kung pwede ma-delay kahit ng two days para sigurado tayo na hanggang makakaya, 100 percent ready,” he added.

(We asked if it’s possible to have a delay even just for two days to make sure that we’re 100 percent ready.)

Duque said authorities are still fixing and preparing key utilities and requirements at the quarantine facility.

“Handa na, konti na lang. Yung mga beddings na lang. Pero yung mga toilets, handa na, yung mga palikuran, paliguan, yung mga kwarto handa na,” Duque said.

(We’re ready. Only the beddings are left. But the toilets, comfort rooms are all ready.)

“Malalagyan na yan ng tubig ngayon, ikokonekta na nila. Binigyan nila ako ng commitment,” he added.

(They will fix the water connection today. They gave me a commitment.)

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier directed Duque to inspect the facility and receive the repatriated Filipinos.

Upon arrival of the repatriated Filipinos at Clark International Airport, they will be transported to Fort Magsaysay for a mandatory 14-day quarantine as recommended by the DOH.

GSG