BACOLOD CITY, Philippines – Local customs, immigration and quarantine are quarterbacking each other as the Philippines faces its first fatality caused by the nCoronavirus, the second confirmed case in the country and the first fatality outside China’s territory.
Physician Sebastian E. Tabuga, medical quarantine officer, told DNX, they have tightened their watch over the international seaport at the Reclamation Area in Bacolod City where commercial cargo vessels dock to unload cargo.
Local alien control officer Mita Chuvy Arguilles, on the other hand, said no direct international flights land at the Bacolod-Silay airport located in the neighboring city of Silay, around 30 minutes north of here.
This means the focus of quarantine, immigration and customs officers will be international seaports in the province.
Tabuga said sick crewmembers of any nationality will not be issued shore passes or will not be allowed to disembark from their vessels.
