Follow cough-sneeze etiquettes, POEA reminds OFWs in Saudi

With the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) still a threat in Saudi Arabia, Filipinos in the Kingdom were reminded Thursday to observe proper coughing and sneezing etiquette there.
 
The reminder came from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), whose head Hans Leo Cacdac urged OFWs there to be careful.
 
"To our dear Saudi OFWs: Cough and sneeze etiquette from the Saudi Ministry of Health web site. Mag-ingat po tayo!" Cacdac said in a post on his Twitter account.

To date, five Filipinos have died due to MERS-CoV in Saudi Arabia.

Symptoms of MERS-COV, according to the World Health Organization, include fever, cough, shortness of breath and even diarrhea.

Public awareness campaign
 
At the same time, Cacdac posted a screenshot of an awareness publication by the Saudi Ministry of Health suggesting that people:
 
  • cover their mouths and noses with a tissue when coughing or sneezing; and
  • putting used tissue paper in the wastebasket and washing hands thoroughly.
 
The Saudi Ministry of Health publication also warned against coughing or sneezing into one's hands.
 
"If you don't have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve or elbow, not your hands," it said.
 
Earlier, the Philippine Embassy in Saudi Arabia reminded Filipinos there to follow basic health practices to avoid getting MERS-CoV.
 
The Philippine Embassy in Riyadh also clarified MERS-CoV testing for Filipino workers is voluntary, including those who plan to return to the Philippines.
 
But the embassy, in a news release, "strongly encouraged" Filipino workers in the health care sector and those who may have had contact with known MERS-CoV patients to voluntarily undergo MERS-CoV testing at least 14 days before travel abroad.
 
Also, it urged Filipinos in Saudi Arabia to strictly follow basic protection measures issued by the Department of Health in the Philippines and the Saudi Ministry of Health:
 
  • Wash hands properly, especially after coughing, sneezing and using toilets.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Maintain good hygiene and have plenty of sleep, drink plenty of fluids and eat nutritious food to boost body resistance.
 
The embassy also offered hotlines where the public can relay information on possible MERS-CoV cases involving Filipinos and for clarifications on the official guidance:
 
Philippine Embassy in Riyadh: +966 51 504 6362
Philippine Consulate in Jeddah: +966 55 521 9613.

— Joel Locsin/RSJ, GMA News

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