As the Subic Bay Freeport Zone is an international port of entry, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority is taking the threat of the 2019 novel coronavirus seriously.
In this view, I have asked the members of the SBMA Board of Directors for their approval of the following measures:
1. Temporary ban on entry of travelers, Chinese or otherwise, from Wuhan City and Hubei Province, China;
2. Mandatory 14-day isolation for travelers from China; and
3. Encouraged 3-day voluntary isolation for international travelers arriving in Subic.
I have also asked POGO (Philippine Online Gambling Operation) operators in Subic to cease recruitment of personnel from China as part of precautionary measures to be required in the Subic Bay Freeport, and they have committed as of yesterday to stop flying in employees, executives, and supervisors from China until further notice.
Moreover, we will be instituting controls at Tipo, Rizal, Magsaysay, 14th and Kalaklan gates with the Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ) and Regional Epidimiological Surveillance Unit (RESU) as lead agencies.
All foreign nationals will be subject to temperature check and physical observation for cough or colds. All who are positive for high temperature, cough or colds will be sent back and not allowed entry.
As always, the health and safety of our stakeholders is paramount.
We expect the cooperation of everyone in this regard.
WILMA T. EISMA
SBMA Chairman and Administrator