Filipinos set to return from virus-stricken ship

THE Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Tuesday repatriated more than 400 Filipinos from a coronavirus-stricken cruise ship in Yokohama.

The first of the two planes that will fetch the Filipinos left Manila at 10:30 a.m. and was expected to arrive at Haneda airport in Tokyo at past 4 p.m., according to DFA. The plane was expected to return to Clark International Airport in Pampanga province by 8:30 p.m., it said.

The second flight took off from Manila at 12:20 p.m. and was expected to come home with the Filipino passengers at Clark by past 10 p.m.

The repatriates will stay at the Athlete’s Village in New Clark City.

In Japan, officials of the DFA, Department of Health (DoH) and Philippine Embassy in Tokyo were preparing for the disembarkation of the Filipino passengers.

“This morning, the DFA carries out the directive of Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. to bring our people in the Diamond Princess cruise ship back home,” it said in a social media post yesterday.

“DFA, never leave our people helpless, unattended and alone,” Mr. Locsin said in a separate social media post.

“We are never without friends when we are in trouble and none so dependable, good and caring as Japan,” he added.

The cruise ship, which had about 3,000 passengers on board, more than 500 of whom were Filipinos, went under a 14-day mandatory quarantine until Feb. 19.

The patients were admitted to medical facilities in and around the Tokyo metropolitan area, he said.

DoH on Monday said Filipinos from the cruise ship would be strictly monitored.

Under the repatriation plan, only those who have tested negative for COVID-19 would be allowed to return.

The agency said it would work hard to ensure the safety and welfare of the quarantined patients, as well as civilians near them.

Out of 538 Filipinos aboard the M/V Diamond Princess cruise ship, 59 had tested positive and were confined in various hospitals in Japan. More than 400 were not showing symptoms and would be repatriated, the agency said.

They will be checked for symptoms of respiratory illness before they are allowed to disembark the ship, take the bus to the airport and board a plane to the Philippines.

While on board the plane, passengers will be regularly monitored and those who will show symptoms of respiratory illness will be separated in an area of the plane.

Upon arrival at the Clark International Airport, another screening will be conducted. Those who will show signs or symptoms of respiratory illness will be brought to a hospital while, while the rest will be taken to the quarantine facility at New Clark City, in Capas, Tarlac for a 14-day quarantine.

Twenty medical teams from DoH hospitals will supervise the 14-day quarantine procedure. Patients will be checked twice a day, it said. — Charmaine A. Tadalan