POEA Advisory to overseas Filipino workers on precautionary measures against A(H1N1) flu virus

The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration reiterates its advisory to overseas Filipino workers on precautionary measures against A(H1N1) flu virus as the World Health Organization has declared a global pandemic.

POEA Administrator Jennifer Jardin-Manalili said that aside from protecting themselves against the virus, inbound and outbound Filipino workers should observe the following reporting and monitoring arrangements:

Returning OFWs/and disembarking crew shall inform their recruitment/manning agencies about their arrival in the Philippines.

• OFWs should stay at home (self-quarantine) for 10 days after arrival before personally reporting to the recruitment agencies.
• OFWs with flu-like symptoms on the date of departure shall notify their respective agency and ask for postponement of deployment.
• If infected onsite, OFWs shall ask for assistance from the nearest Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) or Philippine Embassy or Consulate.
• OFWs shall report to the nearest Philippine Overseas Labor Offices, Embassy or Consulates any case of infection among other Filipino workers.

In the Philippines, the public should report any known case of the flu virus to the nearest local health authority, or through the following:

Bureau of Quarantine - 832-2929
OP CEN-HEMS - 711-1001 / 915-7725621 / 921-5922361
National Epidemiology Center - 743-1937
RITM - 807-2628

Administrator Manalili also asked OFWs to heed the advice of government health authorities to protect themselves from the virus like strengthening the immune system, maintaining good personal hygiene, and practicing social distancing.

She further encouraged all recruitment agencies to issue similar advisories and guidelines to their departing and returning workers and seafarers