Palace: Taiwan travel ban stays until its lift is recommended by WHO

MANILA, Philippines — The travel ban on Taiwan will stay until the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends lifting it, Malacañang said Tuesday.

This, amid Taiwan reportedly calling on the Philippines to lift the travel ban as part of government’s efforts to contain the spread of the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV).

“The travel ban, I understand, that included China, was on the basis of the World Health Organization including Taiwan as part of China. But since there is a ban on China, necessarily, Taiwan being part of China is included,” Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo said in a press briefing.

“And we always follow the recommendations of the World Health Organization. So if the World Health Organization says there is a need for lifting of the ban in any part of those already announced to have travel ban, then we [are] suppose to do so,” Panelo added.

Panelo said retaining the travel ban is a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of Filipinos.

The Department of Health (DOH) earlier said Taiwan, in addition to Hong Kong and Macau, is included in the ban since WHO follows the One-China policy.

This prompted local airlines Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines to cancel several inbound and outbound flights to Taiwan.