Marcos Jr. considering imposing COVID-19 tests for travelers from China

FILE PHOTO A man getting swabbed for COVID-19. Image from OVP / Facebook

MANILA, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday said that the Philippines might be forced to impose additional COVID-19 testing requirements for travelers from China if the science backs it and the government deems it necessary.

Marcos’ announcement came as China faced a fresh wave of coronavirus infections, prompting the nation to take strict precautions to protect its citizens.

READ: China’s cities battle first wave of COVID-19 surge as wider spread looms 

“As long as it’s based on science and we feel that there’s a need, we will do it. But again, it depends on what the true risk is to us,” he said in a video shared over Instagram.

Marcos then added: “[If] it’s [manageable] then, I’m sure we can find a way to, not completely close our borders to China, but to find a way to have a procedure so that those coming from China, who may have been exposed or who may have been infected, will be tested and [that’s all we’re concerned about].”

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) earlier floated the idea of tightening travel restrictions for people coming from China as a safety measure.

DOTR chief Jaime Bautista said the COVID-19 Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases would iron out the travel guidelines.

READ: COVID-19 tests eyed for travelers from China 

Several countries worldwide, including India, Japan and the United States, have already imposed curbs on travelers from China, as they raised concern over the wave of COVID-19 infections plaguing the Asian giant.

READ: COVID-19 rules for travelers from China rolled out around the world 

JPV/abc