Philippine ports open but Chinese crew banned from disembarking

Philippine ports will remain open to all ships amid the novel coronavirus scare, but crew members from vessels that have called in China or its SARs within 14 days are prohibited from disembarking.

PPA General Manager Jay Daniel Santiago stated that an entry ban would paralyze imports and exports as most Philippine cargoes originate from hub ports in China.

The agency also suspended visitation rights for relatives of Filipino seafarers and boarding privileges for NGOs providing support to seafarers.