UPDATE PHILIPPINES

Philippines now denying visas to Wuhan tourists

By: Poan Mariano Published: January 26, 2020 // 4:46 AM

Chinese nationals arriving from Guangzhou, China are seen wearing face mask at the arrival area of Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 in Pasay City. Photo by Ben Nabong/Rappler

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has started denying applications for visa-upon-arrival (VUA) by tour groups from Wuhan City, China due to risks posed by the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV).

The decision to deny VUA for tourists from Wuhan came after the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) suspended all direct flights from the city to the Philippines, BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval said yesterday.

The BI launched the VUA program in 2017 to attract more tourists and investors from China.

Before the flight suspension, the BI recorded 1,122 tourist arrivals and 901 departures on board Pan Pacific Airlines and 637 and 750 arrivals and departures, respectively on Royal Air from Dec. 1 to 31.

A total of 2,164 arrivals and 1,741 departures on Pan Pacific Airlines and 848 arrivals and 567 departures on Royal Air were recorded from Jan. 1 to 24.

Authorities are intensifying efforts to prevent the 2019-nCOV from entering the country.

Credits to Philippine Star