Travel ban from China: A safety measure or racism?

The outbreak of the novel coronavirus badly affected the citizens of China and people from different countries. According to the New York Times, the World Health Organization declared a global health emergency last January 31, 2020 as the 2019-nCoV infected nearly 15,000 people worldwide. The greatest concern of WHO is the potential of the virus to spread in countries with weaker health systems that could affect millions of people. The declaration prompted nations such as United States, Australia, Canada, Finland, etc. to restrict travel to China for fear that the virus will spread and devastate their country.

Last February 2, 2020, the Philippines imposed a travel ban on China because of the first reported nCoV-death related case outside China. According to ABS-CBN News, the ban covers all foreigners arriving from China, Hong Kong, and Macau, including those who visited the areas within 14 days. Filipinos who have been to China within 14 days prior to arrival in the Philippines will also be denied. The government will also establish repatriation and quarantine facilities as some Filipinos set to be brought home from China. The Philippines and China have growing bilateral relations under President Duterte’s administration. Philippines is rapidly cooperating with China in various areas such as culture, technology, and tourism. They are developing a much stronger ties with China. However, it is essential to impose the travel ban for the safety of the Filipinos.

It is right to implement travel ban from China because our country doesn’t have a strong health system. Additionally, we are not prepared for this pandemic to spread. The Philippine government should prioritize the health of the Filipinos considering the fact that the cure of the nCov is still on the process. Many Filipinos especially the underprivilige cannot afford medication if this virus will thoroughly spread out.

The travel ban is not a mean or insulting move towards the Chinese but it is a preventive measure to secure our fellow Filipinos’ health. Aside of having poor facilities, face masks are running out of stock as the first case of the virus is confirmed in the Philippines. The close relationship between the Philippines and China should be set aside in times of this emergency. The government should worry and emphasize the health of the Filipinos since the availability of our facilities are insufficient.

Nations especially the Philippines must have a strict implementation to the airline industry to have a temporary travel ban to protect every Filipino’s right to life which is mentioned in the Philippine Constitution. Implementation of the travel ban from China does not encourage discrimination towards them. It is the only way to protect our safety and health against the virus. It must not affect the relationship of Philippines and China since both countries are trying their best to actively response to the situation. Thus, it must not be a barrier to our ties with China since its goal is to prioritize the general welfare of the Filipinos.

Dimple Abucay and Maricel Cuico

University of San Jose-Recoletos