No one from the Philippine delegation tested positive for Covid-19 as they returned from Covid-stricken China on Thursday, Jan. 5.
President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. (Noel Pabalate)Around 200 Filipinos, who were part of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr’s state visit to China, were able to return to the country unscathed over Covid-19 threat in the foreign land.
This was according to the antigen test results of the entire delegation upon arriving at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City, Malacañang said.
All members of the Philippine delegation were tested for Covid on Wednesday night before departing Beijing the next day.
The delegation was also required to present a negative RT-PCR test before departing the Philippines onboard the presidential plane PR 001.
Upon arrival on Jan. 3 in Beijing, the delegation were also tested for Covid and no one tested positive for the viral disease.
The delegation, including Manila-based journalists, were in a bubble set-up during the three-day state visit of the President in Beijing.
Meanwhile, Marcos reiterated that enforcing a travel restriction for arriving passengers from China will have to be based on science.
“Well, I think it will have to do it, again, based on science. If there is a — you know, the approach that I’ve taken when it comes to what remains of our Covid response, is to assess the actual risk factors,” he said.
The President also believes China won’t let a Covid-positive traveler leave the country.
“So sila man, sabi nila hindi naman immediate na makakapagbiyahe na naman ang mga Chinese national (They, themselves, said that Chinese nationals will not be able to travel immediately). Kaya’t siguro (So maybe) in the meantime, we just watch and wait and I’m sure that hindi naman sila magpapaalis ng tao na positive (they will not allow a Covid-positive individual to go out of the country),” Marcos said.
