Tutors, studes coming from abroad asked to observe quarantine

ANGELES CITY — The government’s chief epidemiologist has advised teachers and students, who might still be vacationing in countries affected by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), to come back no less than 14 days before the school opening so they can observe the prescribed two-week quarantine period.

Dr. Consortia Quizon, chief of the National Epidemiology Center, quoted the departments of health and education as saying that after classes start, quarantine for these teachers and students would be mandatory, meaning they would be missing their classes.

While the schoolyear starts on June 9, classes do not begin until a week later on June 16. The first week would be spent for briefing teachers on SARS, education officials earlier had announced.

Quizon specifically referred to those who might still be in Taiwan and parts of China.

Last Friday, the World Health Organization (WHO) removed Hong Kong and Guangdong, China from its travel alert list due to SARS.

The WHO, however, still advises against non-essential travel to Taiwan and the Chinese capital of Beijing and the Chinese regions of Hebei, Inner Mongolia, Shanxi and Tianjin.

While the WHO has declared the Philippines SARS-free, Quizon said it is still "very, very possible" that a SARS case could enter the Philippines because of the country’s proximity to areas still severely affected by SARS.

She said the removal of the Philippines from the WHO list indicated that there is no longer any local transmission of SARS.

Quizon said those returning from the SARS-affected areas, particularly teachers and students, must stay in their homes for 14 days and report to health authorities if they develop fever.

Meanwhile, health officials said all 11 overseas workers, who have returned to Mabalacat, Pampanga since last May 5, have been in good health.

Dr. Oscar Aurelio said all of them were found to have complied with the 14-day quarantine period suggested to them upon their arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.