Repatriation of Filipinos aboard virus-hit cruise ship postponed

The cruise ship Diamond Princess is pictured beside a Japanese flag as it lies at anchor while workers and officers prepare to transfer passengers who tested positive for coronavirus, at Daikoku Pier Cruise Terminal in Yokohama, south of Tokyo, Japan on Feb. 12, 2020. REUTERS
The cruise ship Diamond Princess is pictured beside a Japanese flag as it lies at anchor while workers and officers prepare to transfer passengers who tested positive for coronavirus, at Daikoku Pier Cruise Terminal in Yokohama, south of Tokyo, Japan on Feb. 12, 2020. REUTERS

MANILA – The Department of Health (DOH) on Saturday announced the postponement of the scheduled repatriation of almost 500 Filipinos onboard the coronavirus-stricken Diamond Princess cruise ship in Yokohama, Japan.
The DOH said in a statement that the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Disease will move the supposed repatriation today to early next week as a cautionary measure to ensure the health and safety of the Filipinos onboard.
“This is to allow the Japanese health authorities to complete the laboratory testing of the 400-plus Filipino crew members aboard the ship and comply with the established protocols,” the DOH said.
The postponement also gave the assurance that the Japanese government is working to ensure that appropriate services are being provided to the affected passengers.
“Our Tokyo Embassy is working closely with the Japanese health and foreign ministry to complete the quarantine protocols for the Philippine Government to repatriate our Filipino crew members as soon as possible,” it added.
The Malacañang earlier said that 497 Filipinos have confirmed their intention to be flown over the weekend. The repatriated Filipinos will stay at the Athlete’s Village in New Clark City for a 14-day quarantine period.
“The Office of the President also assures the public that all precautionary measures and safety protocols are in place for the seamless repatriation of our countrymen from Japan,” Panelo said.
A total of 538 Filipinos are aboard the Diamond Princess. Of the number, 41 Filipinos are confirmed to be positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
The cruise ship and the 3,711 passengers on board were placed under quarantine on February 3 after a former passenger tested positive for the virus. Its passengers began disembarking last Wednesday after the 14-day quarantine period.
The Filipinos from the Japan cruise ship will be the second batch of repatriated Filipinos to stay at the NCC with the first being Filipinos who were repatriated from COVID-hit Wuhan and Hubei Province in China./PN

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