By Jeffrey Damicog
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is prepared to help track down persons who may have been infected by the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra assured on Tuesday, February 4.
Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra
(TOTO LOZANO / PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
Guevarra made the assurance after the Department of Health (DOH) reported there are now 80 persons under investigation (PUIs) for being suspected as infected with the 2019-nCoV.
“The DOH says they can still handle the contact tracing but the NBI will be on standby to support,” he told reporters.
Meanwhile, Guevarra said the Bureau of Immigration (BI) will continue to watch the country’s ports for any possible entry of passengers who could be infected with the deadly virus.
Last Monday night, February 3, the Secretary was in Malacanang for the meeting held by President Duterte concerning the nCoV threat.
“No further instructions to the BI except to implement the travel ban strictly until further orders,” Guevarra recounted.
“The NBI is not being called to action yet,” he added.
On Monday night, the President maintained that the temporary travel ban imposed by the Philippines will be limited to foreign travelers from China and its special administrative regions of Macau and Hong Kong.
Duterte said the government will consider World Health Organization’s (WHO) position before expanding the travel ban to travelers from other countries with cases of coronavirus.