OFWs in China split on repatriation amid nCoV outbreak

Filipinos living in China are split on repatriation amid the 2019 novel coronavirus outbreak, according to a 24 Oras report by Sandra Aguinaldo on Wednesday.
“Dianna” said she and other Filipinos fear for their health even though they live in Jiangsu, a province far from the outbreak’s epicenter of Wuhan City.
"’Yung mga kasama ko, 'yung tatlo, gusto nila umuwi. They can't stay without pay, so paano sila makaka-survive? Ayokong mamatay dito sa China,” she said.
Marife Cabales and other Filipinos in Hefei City, which is near Wuhan, have said they wish to return home as well but added that they are held back by financial constraints.
On the other hand, Filipinos in Wuhan said they have no intention to evacuate the city.
“We are still alive, healthy, safe and kicking. Parang nag-vo-volunteer po kami ngayon sa mga kababayan natin dito sa Wuhan na na-trap sa hotel na wala nang food supplies,” said Edda, a Filipina worker in Wuhan.
“Ang amin na lang po, just include us in your prayers na this will be over soon.”
Despite having limited income due to class suspensions brought by the outbreak, teacher Lloyz Aguire said she still has no plans of returning to the Philippines.
“Siyempre po, 'No work, No pay' and nagbabayad kami ng apartment, pero 'yung sa coronavirus na 'yan, kaya naman po labanan,” she said.
According to the Philippine Consulate in Shanghai, there are some 300 Filipinos in the Hubei province, 150 of whom are in Wuhan.
Around 50 of the Filipinos in Wuhan have already requested for repatriation.
The Department of Foreign Affairs earlier said they are prepared to repatriate Filipinos from China as soon as they get clearance from Chinese authorities.
The novel coronavirus has so far claimed over 100 lives in China and infected over 4,000 others. —Julia Mari Ornedo/LDF, GMA News

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