ADVISORY

PHILIPPINE EMBASSY IN BEIJING, CHINA

ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW REGARDING THE 2019-NOVEL CORONAVIRUS (2019-nCoV)

UPDATED: 10 FEBRUARY 2020

CONTENTS ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT VISA ISSUANCES PHILIPPINE EMBASSY OPERATIONS CONTACT INFORMATION Embassy Consular and Emergency Hotline Other Emergency Contacts Department of Health Hotline E. PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA (PRC) GOVERNMENT HOTLINE Provincial Foreign Affairs Offices (FAOs) F. FILIPINOS IN WUHAN AND HUBEI Repatriation of Filipinos Wuhan City and Hubei Province Contact G. FLIGHT CANCELLATIONS Philippine Airlines Cebu Pacific Alternative Flights H. HEALTH AND SAFETY Information on the 2019-nCoV How to Stay Healthy Guidelines from Beijing Municipality Hospitals in Beijing I. INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS Note: This advisory will be updated by the Embassy as necessary. Update: Resumption of Embassy operations Update: Provincial Foreign Affairs Offices (FAOs) hotline numbers Update: Guidelines from the People’s Government of Beijing Municipality

A. ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

Effective immediately, in compliance with President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s directive coursed through Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea on the containment and neutralisation of the spread of the novel coronavirus and Resolution No. 2 of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases dated 31 January 2020, the public is informed of the following travel restrictions:

1. Temporarily banning the entry of any person, regardless of nationality, except Filipino citizens and holders of Permanent Resident Visa issued by the Philippine Government, directly coming from China and its Special Administrative Regions;
2. Temporarily banning the entry of any person, regardless of nationality, except Filipino citizens and holders of Permanent Resident Visa issued by the Philippine Government, who within fourteen (14) days immediately preceding arrival in the Philippines, has been to China and its Special Administrative Regions;
3. A mandatory fourteen (14) day quarantine for Filipinos and Permanent Resident Visa holders coming from any place in China and its Special Administrative Regions; and
4. Temporary ban on Filipinos from travel to China and its Special Administrative Regions.

 

B. VISA ISSUANCES

(DFA ADVISORY ON 02 FEBRUARY 2020)

In compliance with the above directive, the Embassy is temporarily suspending the issuance of visas to the following:

1. Foreign nationals directly coming from China and its Special Administrative Regions; and,
2. Foreign nationals, who, within fourteen (14) days immediately preceding arrival in the Philippines, have been to China, and its Special Administrative Regions.

Foreign Nationals with visa-free entry privileges to the Philippines, falling under above-mentioned categories, are likewise covered by the temporary travel ban imposed by the Philippine Government.

 

C. PHILIPPINE EMBASSY OPERATIONS

(ADVISORY NUMBER: AN-07-2020)

Per advice of the Beijing Housing Service Corporation for Diplomatic Missions on 02 February 2020 in view of efforts to address the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) outbreak situation, the Embassy will be temporarily closed to the public until 10 February 2019.

(ADVISORY NUMBER: AN-05-2020)

Upon resumption of operations, the public is advised that the Embassy strictly enforces a “No Mask, No Entry Policy” inside the Embassy premises.

(ADVISORY NUMBER: AN-08-2020)

The Embassy will resume operating hours for the public on 11 February 2020 (Tuesday). Until further notice, the operating hours will be from 10:00AM to 03:00PM.

 

D. CONTACT INFORMATION

Embassy Consular and Emergency Hotline

(ADVISORY NUMBER: AN-07-2020)

(DFA ADVISORY ON 30 JANUARY 2020)

(EMBASSY WECHAT NOTICE ON 29 JANUARY 2020)

For consular queries and concerns, please contact +86-138-1112-0334 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Filipinos needing immediate emergency assistance may contact the Embassy’s Assistance-to-Nationals (ATN) hotline at +86-139-1118-0495.

To help the Embassy map out Filipino nationals living in China, all Filipinos are encouraged to register with the Embassy. To register, scan the QR code (VPN needed) and answer the survey. You may also access the survey form via https://www.thebeijinger.com/blog/2020/01/22/coronavirus-count-in-beijing.

Other Emergency Contacts

(DFA ADVISORY ON 30 JANUARY 2020)

During emergency situations, Filipinos in China may contact the hotline numbers of the Philippine Consulates-General nearest to their area:

Mainland China:

Philippine Consulate General in Chongqing	+86-158-2397-2513 +86-158-0805-7032
Philippine Consulate General in Guangzhou	+86-139-2409-9636 +86-135-7000-8063
Philippine Consulate General in Shanghai (with jurisdiction over Wuhan and Hubei Province)	+86-139-1747-7112
Philippine Consulate General in Xiamen	+86-139-0603-6614 +86-189-0592-1595

Special Administrative Regions:

Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong SAR	+852-9155-4023
Philippine Consulate General in Macau SAR	+853-6698-1900

PRC Ministry of Foreign Affairs:

Emergency hotlines of the People’s Republic of China Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Beijing for the assistance of Filipinos and other foreign nationals across China may also be contacted through +86-10-6596-4516 or +86-10-6596-6999.

Department of Health Hotline

(EMBASSY WECHAT NOTICE ON 02 FEBRUARY 2020)

(DFA ADVISORY ON 04 FEBRUARY 2020)

The Department of Health (DOH), in coordination with the Department Foreign Affairs (DFA), opens a 24/7 communication line via WeChat, which Filipinos in China may contact for information and medical assistance on the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) outbreak.

Filipinos may access the said hotline by scanning with their WeChat applications theQR codebelow:

For Filipinos in China	For Filipinos in Beijing and the areas of Tianjin, Hebei, Henan, Shandong, Shanxi, Shaanxi, Gansu, Qinghai, Liaoning, Jilin, Heilongjiang, Sichuan, and the Autonomous Regions of Inner Mongolia, Xinjiang, and Tibet	For Filipinos in Shanghai and the neighboring areas of Jiangsu, Anhui, Hubei, and Zhejiang

All calls and messages made via the WeChat hotline will be received and responded to by Filipino doctors, psychologists, and nurses trained on crisis intervention. This communication line will deal with queries on the health aspect of the 2019-nCoV as well as provide psychological support to Filipinos in China.

 

E. PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA (PRC) GOVERNMENT HOTLINE

Provincial Foreign Affairs Offices (FAOs)

(ADVISORY NUMBER: AN-09-2020)

Per the information received from the Office of Foreign Missions of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China on 06 February 2020, the Provincial Foreign Affairs Offices (FAOs) have released hotline numbers and websites for foreign nationals in connection with the 2019-nCoV, and some FAOs have issued open letters in multiple languages in their respective websites in order to facilitate life and work of foreign nationals in China. 

Attached as Annex I is the list the hotlines and websites of the respective provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions under the Embassy’s jurisdiction.

 

F. FILIPINOS IN WUHAN CITY AND HUBEI PROVINCE

Repatriation of Filipinos

(DFA ADVISORY ON 30 JANUARY 2020)

The Department of Foreign Affairs stands ready to repatriate Filipinos in Wuhan City and Hubei Province amid health concerns brought about by the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) outbreak. The first batch of Filipinos will be repatriated subject to China’s rules on disease containment, including immigration clearances, quarantine process, among others.

Filipinos in Wuhan City and Hubei Province who wish to be repatriated should contact the Philippine Consulate General in Shanghai by 03 February 2020. Filipino repatriates will be subject to the mandatory fourteen (14) day quarantine.

Wuhan City and Hubei Province Contact

(DFA ADVISORY ON 30 JANUARY 2020)

Filipinos in Wuhan City and Hubei Province may also contact any of the 24-hour hotlines established by People’s Republic of China. The said hotlines can also be contacted should Filipinos need assistance, supplies, and other needs: +86-27-8712-2256 or +86-27-8781-1173.

 

G. FLIGHT CANCELLATIONS

Philippine Airlines

From 02 February 2020 until 28 March 2020, Philippine Airlines will cancel all flights between Manila and Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR, and Mainland China (Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Xiamen, Quanzhou/Jinjiang).

Cebu Pacific

From 02 February 2020 until 29 February 2020, Cebu Pacific Air will cancel all flights between the Philippines and Hong Kong and Macau.

From 02 February 2020 until 28 March 2020, Cebu Pacific will cancel all flights between the Philippines and Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR, and Mainland China (Beijing, Shanghai, Xiamen, Guangzhou, Shenzen).

Alternative Flights

Passengers who are affected by the flight cancellations may directly contact the above airlines. Filipinos and holders of Permanent Resident Visa who wish to take alternative flights to the Philippines will be subject to the fourteen (14) day quarantine, as mandated by the Office of the President.

As most of the direct flights from China has already been temporarily cancelled, Filipinos and holders of Permanent Resident Visa who wish to return to the Philippines may consider airlines transiting through third countries.

 

H. HEALTH AND SAFETY

Information on the 2019-nCoV

(ADVISORY NUMBER: AN-02-2020)

On 30 January 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) as a public health emergency of international concern or PHEIC.

According to the WHO, the 2019-nCoV coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases; the clinical signs and symptoms of patients with the Wuhan coronavirus-related pneumonia are mainly fever, fatigue, cough, tightness of the chest, and difficulty breathing. Chest scans of some patients have also shown lungs inflamed and filled with fluid. WHO also recently said that there was an indication that the pneumonia-like virus could spread through human-to-human transmission.

For more information:

The Office of Foreign Missions of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China (MFA), in cooperation with the Suzhou Municipal Foreign Affairs Office, the Wechat account “iSuzhou” has released the “Guide to Prevent the Novel Coronavirus Infection”. The guide is a concise introduction on prevention measures in English to help foreign nationals obtain comprehensive knowledge on the prevention of the epidemic.  The guide can be accessed at:

https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/jcFR_xv5now63CBy3Z4QBQ

How to Stay Healthy

(ADVISORY NUMBER: AN-02-2020)

The public is urged to remain vigilant, stay calm, avoid panic, and more importantly, take precautionary measures in order to avoid infection of the novel coronavirus.

As a precaution, the public is reminded to observe the following measures:

• Avoid contact with live animals;
• Avoid eating raw and undercooked meat;
• Avoid contact with people who are unwell or showing symptoms of illness;
• Wash hands thoroughly and frequently with soap;
• Cover your mouth and nose with tissue paper when sneezing or coughing. Dispose of soiled tissues in a lidded rubbish bin, then wash hands thoroughly; and,
• When having respiratory symptom, wear surgical mask, refrain from work or attending class at school, avoid going to crowded places, and seek medical advice promptly.

Guidelines from Beijing Municipality

(BEIJING FOREIGN AFFAIRS OFFICE, 31 JANUARY 2020)

The Philippine Embassy wishes to reiterate that the Foreign Affairs Office of the People’s Government of Beijing Municipality has declared the highest level of public health emergency on January 24. The following guidelines should be observed:

• Follow official information. Follow closely the information published on the official website of the People’s Government of Beijing Municipality (www.beijing.gov.cn), Beijing Daily and its news app, Weibo account of the Information Office of Beijing Municipal People’s Government “北京发布”, and WeChat official account of Beijing Municipal Health Bureau “健康北京”.
• Take precautions. Cooperate in prevention and control efforts, avoid going to crowded places or public gatherings, and wear medical masks (for surgical purposes) if the necessity of going arises. Stay at home and inform authorities if you have visited seriously infected areas or had contact with those coming (or returning) from these areas to Beijing.
• Seek timely medical help. The Beijing Municipality designated 101 fever clinics and 20 dedicated pneumonia hospitals at the municipal and district levels. Seek medical attention at fever clinics if you have symptoms of fever, cough, chest tightness, fatigue, etc.
• Stay connected. Call 12345 to learn more about the pneumonia outbreak. Eight foreign languages are available, including English, French, German, Russian, Spanish, Japanese, Korean and Arabic, among which English service is available 24 hours.

Hospitals in Beijing

(EMBASSY WECHAT NOTICE ON 27 JANUARY 2020)

The Beijing Municipal Health Commission has officially designated the following three (3) Beijing hospitals to treat confirmed novel coronavirus cases: a) Beijing Ditan Hospital, b) Beijing Youan Hospital, and c) the Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital. However, the public may still seek medical attention and treatment at the nearest medical facility and institution near their area. 

I. INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

(EMBASSY WECHAT NOTICE ON 30 JANUARY 2020)

On 30 January 2020, the Office of Foreign Missions of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs released the following guidelines to be observed by all international students in China:

• International students staying on campus must strictly follow local prevention and control regulations and instructions issued by their education institutions.
• International students travelling in China must obey the prevention and control measures taken by local authorities, and stay in contact with their education institutions for the latest information regarding the start of school.
• International student currently staying in their home countries for the winter break or scheduled to be enrolled in spring should stay in contact with their education institutions for the latest information regarding the start of school. Please do not return to school without prior notice. For those who return to China early against school advice and find themselves unable to reach school due to transport restrictions, please contact your education institution and Embassy in China for help.
• Please seek immediate medical attention if fever, cough, fatigue, or other relevant symptoms occur.

END

 

ANNEX I:

LIST OF HOTLINES AND WEBSITES OF THE RESPECTIVE PROVINCES, MUNICIPALITIES AND AUTONOMOUS REGIONS UNDER THE CONSULAR JURISDICTION OF THE PHILIPPINE EMBASSY IN BEIJING

1. Beijing Municipality