US territory welcomes Filipinos despite virus scare

GARAPAN, Northern Marianas — Filipinos will not be banned from this US territory even after the government confirmed the death of two fatalities from Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).

Pete Callaghan, press secretary of the territory’s government, told The STAR yesterday said the Philippines has not been declared an "epidemic area" by the US Centers for Disease Control or the World Health Organization.

"It is true that there is no ban for the Philippines," he said. "But if you need an authorization to board and you are not a (Marianas) resident or a US citizen, or not possessing entry privileges for the Commonwealth, (you will not be allowed entry)."

More than 15,000 Filipinos categorized as "non-resident" workers in the Northern Marianas were issued authorization to board and work permits.

Earlier, Northern Marianas Gov. Juan Babauta suspended the issuance of authorization to board to individuals from China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Vietnam and Canada.

In a separate interview, Philippine Consul General to the Marianas Julia Heidemann said the commonwealth government has assured that "no restrictions" would be imposed on Filipinos arriving or returning to the the islands.

"We have been assured by the government that we are not included as SARS hotspot by the commonwealth," she said.

However, Heidemann said several "non-resident" Filipino workers are wary that the commonwealth government would impose a travel ban on them.

The STAR learned from Callaghan that passengers will not be allowed to board any US airline without going through "pre-boarding procedures" recommended by the US Centers for Disease Control.