DOWNLOAD FILE >

• The World Health Organization (WHO) announced that the disease caused by the new coronavirus will be referred to as COVID-19. The name of the disease starts with “co” and “vi” for “coronavirus”, “d” stands for disease, and “19” indicates the year that it was first discovered. Moving forward, we will use COVID-19 instead of nCoV in all our advisories.
   
• South Korea will be included in the countries identified in the nCoV Advisory #2 effective tomorrow, February 28. The inclusion is based on the Philippine government’s announcement yesterday, February 26 that travel to all parts of South Korea will be temporarily banned and passengers coming from North Heongsan province, Daegu City and Teongdo County, South Korea will be restricted to enter effective immediately. This is due to the spread of COVID-19 in the said country. 

The following DOH guidelines will also apply:

• Only permanent residents of South Korea, Filipinos leaving for study and OFWs returning for work will be allowed to travel provided they signed a written declaration acknowledging the risks involved which will be complemented with health advisory pamphlets.
• Filipinos and foreign spouses or children and holders of permanent and diplomatic visas will be allowed entry subject to existing screening and quarantine protocols.

For your information and compliance. Thank you.

Yours truly,
Noel C. Racho, Ph.D.
Risk Management Officer