The Department of Tourism (DOT) urged the public including foreign tourists to take the necessary precautions to minimize the risk of contracting the virus following the Department of Health’s (DOH) announcement on the first confirmed case of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in the country.

In a statement, the DOT said it is confident that the heightened interventions of the Departments of Transportation (DOTr), Interior and Local Government (DILG), DOH, Bureau of Immigration (BI), and Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ) would impede the spread of the virus nationwide.

“While the DOT is mandated to encourage, promote, and develop tourism as a major socio-economic activity, at this time our first priority is ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of all. We strongly urge the public to stay informed and abide by the suggested guidelines issued by our health department to minimize risk and help stem the spread of the coronavirus. For your safety, we ask for your full cooperation and understanding at this time,” DOT Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said.

To ensure the safety and security of travelers and citizens, the DOT also called on the travel trade partners, local health, police and security establishments, and other stakeholders to help provide proper guidance and assistance when needed.

“Our stakeholders will be advised of all protocols shared by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases led by the DOH especially in handling cases involving workforce and guests in our tourism enterprises,” Romulo-Puyat said. (PNA)