Taiwan, February 15, 2020 — cybernewschronicle.com — The Taiwanese government said it could take countermeasures if the Philippines keep its entry ban on Taiwanese over fears amid the coronavirus outbreak. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Joanne Ou warned that Taiwan has a retaliatory plan against the Philippines’ travel restriction but she declined to elaborate it further.
“We will continue to communicate with the Philippines and explain that this is a one-sided and wrong decision by the Philippines’ health ministry, which has already affected the relationship between the 2 countries of Taiwan and the Philippines,” she said. Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) Chair Angelito Banayo said Taiwan could end up canceling visa-free privileges for Filipinos.
According to Reuters, around 115,000 Filipinos are employed in Taiwan as factory workers and domestic helpers. The Philippine Government decided to ban Taiwanese citizens from visiting the country in its adherence to a one-China policy. Same restrictions were also implemented by other countries as the World Health Organization (WHO) regarded Taiwan’s virus cases in the category for China.
Taiwan has protested against WHO for its unfair decision of lumping them with China considering that they only have 18 virus cases while the mainland has more than 60,000. Philippines’ Health Minister said it will thoroughly examine all factors and potential risks before it could affirm the lift of travel ban on Taiwan.All inbound travel from China and its special administrative regions Macau and Hong Kong have also been banned in the Philippines.
The coronavirus outbreak has led to a surge in travel restrictions worldwide, as countries attempt to mitigate the spread of the virus. Many nations have implemented entry bans or strict quarantine measures for travelers from affected areas, sparking concerns about the economic and social impacts of these decisions. In the case of Taiwan, the island nation has been subject to restrictions by several countries due to its proximity to mainland China, where the outbreak originated.
The one-China policy has been a longstanding point of contention in international relations. The World Health Organization’s (WHO) decision to categorize Taiwan’s virus cases under China has been particularly contentious, with Taiwan arguing that it should be treated as a separate entity. Taiwan has protested against WHO for its unfair decision of lumping them with China considering that they have fewer virus cases than the mainland.
The potential retaliation by Taiwan against the Philippines could have significant implications for the thousands of Filipinos working in Taiwan. The visa-free privileges enjoyed by Filipinos could be revoked, making it more difficult for them to travel to and work in Taiwan.
This could have a substantial impact on the livelihoods of these workers and their families, as well as the broader economic relationship between the two countries. The situation highlights the complex interplay between public health concerns, international relations, and economic interests during times of crisis. The travel ban imposed by the Philippines is part of a broader trend of countries implementing strict measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
The Philippines’ Health Minister said it will thoroughly examine all factors and potential risks before it could affirm the lift of travel ban on Taiwan. Inbound travel from China and its special administrative regions Macau and Hong Kong have also been banned in the Philippines.
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Joanne Ou warned that Taiwan has a retaliatory plan against the Philippines’ travel restriction.
