Adamson apologizes for ‘Sinophobic’ nCoV policy

MANILA, Philippines — Adamson University in Manila has apologized for a policy directing all Chinese students to self-quarantine as a precautionary measure against the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV).

Adamson president Marcelo Manimtim issued a clarification yesterday following criticisms over what was deemed as a discriminatory policy.

Instead of limiting the directive for self-quarantine to Chinese students, the new memorandum now covers all students, staff and stakeholders who have travelled to and from countries with confirmed cases of 2019-nCoV, including China and Hong Kong, in the past month.

It also included those who may have close contact or direct exposure to a potential source of infection.

“Clarification is hereby issued that Chinese students and guests who are not limited by the above conditions are not covered by the self-quarantine advisory, and are allowed to come to school,” read the updated memorandum.

“This memorandum modifies the previous one released, and we apologize for the misimpression it may have created,” it added.

The earlier memorandum specifically directed all Chinese students to observe self-quarantine until Feb. 14.

It also advised all Chinese nationals to postpone all transactions inside the university.

Other academic institutions have also adopted various precautionary measures in response to the 2019-nCoV.

Among those that recommended self-quarantine for those who travelled to countries with confirmed cases of the illness include Ateneo de Manila University, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, University of Santo Tomas and Far Eastern University.

De La Salle University in Manila said it will implement a complete travel ban on administrators, faculty and staff to China until the crisis is over.

It added that no student activities that involve travel to China will be endorsed until further notice.

University of the Philippines, through the Philippine General Hospital, has released information and standard recommendations on how to reduce exposure to and transmission of nCoV.

The city government of Manila, meanwhile, “will not isolate Chinese students just because they are Chinese amid the coronavirus scare. Mayor Isko Moreno decides based on evidence, not on the person’s race or nationality,” city chief of staff Cesar Chavez told The STAR.

Chavez said “decisions like these are born out of ignorance of the virus, which is very sad because it is tantamount to discrimination.”

As of last week, the city government distributed thousands of surgical masks to all city-operated schools.  – With Rey Galupo