By Mario Casayuran  Strict precautionary measures are in place to prevent the entry of the 2019-nCoV, also known as the “Wuhan coronavirus” into the country, Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go said Tuesday. Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go (Senator Bong Go's Official Facebook Page / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN) Go, a former special assistant to President Duterte, said the President is monitoring the situation in Wuhan City, China. “Our health officials are also focusing on the arrivals of inbound passengers. Strict measures are strictly followed. Forty thermal scanners are in place in seaports and airports to ensure that suspected afflicted passengers are detected upon entry into the country,” Go said in an interview during his visit to fire victims in Tondo, Manila. Chinese officials in a special government meeting warned that the spread of the new virus is accelerating. According to a report, some five million residents left Wuhan before the lockdown because of the deadly coronavirus epidemic and the Spring Festival holiday, as health officials ­warned the virus’ ­ability to spread was ­getting ­stronger. There were about nine million people remaining in the city after the lockdown, the report said. Of the 2,700 people currently under observation in the city, about 1,000 were likely to be confirmed cases. As of Sunday (Jan. 26), Wuhan had 533 confirmed cases. The Chinese central government imposed a lockdown on Wuhan and several cities on Thursday hoping to stop the new virus from spreading to other parts of the country. However, many had already left the city for the holiday, while others rushed out after the lockdown was announced on Wednesday night. Philippine authorities announced Thursday that travel restrictions from Wuhan were to be imposed. The Philippine authorities have sent back around 500 Chinese tourists who came from Wuhan amid concerns of the deadly coronavirus spreading. The Chinese tourists were heading to the holiday destination of Boracay where they were intercepted by local authorities. Meanwhile, Go has urged the public to strictly follow the guidelines issued by the health officials to deter the spread of the virus. “We have to be extra careful. Follow the advice of our public health officials. Wear face mask to protect yourselves. Keep yourselves and the surroundings clean,” said Go, chairman of the Senate health and demography committee. Asked if there is a possibility that the government will repatriate Filipinos in China, Go said the President and concerned agencies are still observing the situation “Let us wait for the studies and observations of President Duterte on the situation. He is looking at the possibility of airlifting our Filipino compatriots in Wuhan back to the Philippines. Authorities have implemented a total lockdown over Wuhan, people cannot get out and no airplane is allowed to land in the city,” he said. The United States, France, Australia, Japan, and Russia are all preparing to pull their citizens out of Wuhan, while other countries are ramping up measures to prevent people traveling from infected cities to their territories. Go said he and the President would prioritize the safety and security of Filipino citizens.