China coronavirus spread is accelerating, Xi Jinping warns.

Latest update from Philippine Airlines :

HANDLING GUIDELINES _ COVID-19
Effective immediately, please be advised of the following handling guidelines that will supersede all previously
released advisories1 amid COVID-19 concerns.
These shall apply to all international and domestic routes on PR and 2P operational flights including codeshare and
interline whether totally unused or partially used tickets.
FOR INVOLUNTARY CHANGES
Applicable for tickets with cancelled flights due to COVID-19 and/or passengers covered by a travel ban. Applicable
also to all sectors in the ticket provided that all sectors are in PR 079 plate.
1. Rebook their flight to a new travel date within the original ticket validity, with rebooking fees waived. Pax to be
re-booked in same RBD. If only a higher RBD is available, Fare difference must be collected.
Indicate in the new ticket “INVOL DUE COVID19 PR____ /(flight date) (XLD, as applicable)” in the
endorsement/restriction field.
2. Reroute their ticket on the same fare class without rerouting charges. Fare difference rules apply.
3. WAIVER CODE IS NOT APPLICABLE TO REFUNDS. CANCELLATION/REFUND/NO SHOW FEES AS PER FARE RULES
APPLY FOR ALL TICKETS.
FOR VOLUNTARY CHANGES
Applicable for tickets issued on/before 31 March 2020 (not covered by cancellation or not banned for travel). Not
applicable for tickets not issued on PAL 079 plate, and previously waived change fees due to either fare rules,
special handling guidelines or ad hoc request.
1.Rebook their flight to a new travel date within the original ticket validity, with rebooking fees waived. Pax to be
re-booked in same RBD. If only a higher RBD is available, Fare difference must be collected.
Contact uksales@pal.com.ph for waiver code and indicate waiver code in the endorsement/restriction field of the
new ticket.
Incorrect use of the above waiver code will result in the issuance of an Agent Debit Memo.
2. Applicable penalties per fare brand shall apply if the above conditions are not met.
3. WAIVER CODE IS NOT APPLICABLE TO REFUNDS. CANCELLATION/REFUND/NO SHOW FEES AS PER FARE RULES
APPLY FOR ALL TICKETS.
If you have any further queries, please email PR UK Sales on UKSales@pal.com.ph
PR UK Sales Team

extract from link

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advises against all but essential travel to the whole of the Philippines due to impacts on British Nationals of government imposed measures being taken to reduce the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/philippines/health

my wifes home town citizens being advised

ADVISORY: Starting 1 p.m. today, March 16, 2020, checkpoints will be set up in the city’s 11 exit and entry points. These will be manned by personnel from the Philippine National Police, City Health Office, City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, and Public Order and Safety Office. The checkpoints are necessary to protect every one from being infected by the Covid-19 virus, which has been fast spreading in the last few days. At the checkpoints, anyone entering Dagupan City will be asked to present a valid ID, contact number and address. Body temperature will also be checked and anyone who will exhibit an abnormal body temperature will be referred to the City Health Office for further medical assessment and recommendation. If your purpose in coming to Dagupan is not essential, we encourage you to please just stay home, where you will be safer. Please bear with us. With your help and cooperation, we will all get through this and defeat the virus.

Foreign tourists have 72 hours to leave Philippines

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-51903319

Luzon only?

The key word is "intending" no mention of must!
Therefore if they don't then in 72 hours they can't.

Agree, there's hell of alot of tourist that live in Luzon, permanently.

The ban has been lifted, tourist can fly out of the Philippines anytime now.

Gov't lifts ban on outbound flights | News | GMA News Online

The conspiract theorists are having a field day

Dagupan City 10.50 18.03.2020

A bit of positive news
https://uk.news.yahoo.com/coronavir...an-town-halts-infections-trial-122700984.html

Filipinos get into home holiday spirit
(Howard Johnson - Philippines Correspondent, BBC News)


Copyright: Facebook
In the Philippines, housebound social-media users have been making light of President Rodrigo Duterte’s call to “take a vacation at home” as the country’s main island, Luzon, is placed under strict quarantine measures to slow the spread of Covid-19.

During an address to the nation last week President Duterte encouraged people to stay in their homes, adding: “Walk around your house. Maybe you haven’t visited some parts of it yet.”

Filipino netizens responded by posting pictures and videos of themselves backpacking around their apartments, or lying on top of wardrobes and sitting inside cupboards.

Toilet paper?
People need to use the tabo (maybe they will) :

Antibody against Corona?

https://www.erasmusmagazine.nl/en/2020/03/14/unique-discovery-in-erasmus-mc-antibody-against-corona/

Philippines bans entry of foreigners:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-51969508

Key point in bold and underlined in text below


Philippines bans entry of foreigners



Howard Johnson

Philippines Correspondent, BBC News

Foreigners will no longer be allowed to enter the Philippines starting from midnight on Sunday, the Department of Transport has said.

Domestic flights to and from Manila are currently suspended, school classes have been cancelled and police and army personnel are manning quarantine checkpoints and enforcing evening curfews.

The British embassy in Manila say around 200 Britons in the country are currently affected by the travel restrictions. But the Philippine government says all foreign visitors will be allowed to leave the country unimpeded.

The ruling comes after the Philippines suspended the issuance of visas and visa-free privileges worldwide.

However there are exemptions to the rule. Foreign spouses and children of Filipino nationals are exempted, as are foreign government and international organisation officials and their dependents with previously issued visas.

The suspension of visas will last until 12 April.

There are 217 confirmed cases in the country but experts believe the real number of cases is likely to be much higher.

You were right about the way things would go, Jim (oss).