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
