PH delays repatriation of Pinoys in virus ship
Credit to Author: Jan Arcilla| Date: Sat, 22 Feb 2020 16:19:42 +0000
THE repatriation of almost 500 Filipino crew of the coronavirus-hit MV Diamond Princess has been postponed, according to the Department of Health (DoH).
The department on Saturday said the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Disease (IATF-EID) “unanimously resolved” to reschedule the repatriation from Sunday, February 23 to “early next week.”
“This is to allow Japanese health authorities to complete the laboratory testing of 400-plus Filipino crew members aboard the ship and comply with the established Japanese quarantine protocols,” it explained.
The DoH said the Japanese government has given assurances that appropriate health services are being provided to the affected Filipinos aboard the ship.
“Our Tokyo Embassy is working closely with the Japanese health and foreign ministry to complete the quarantine protocols for the Philippine Government to repatriate Filipino crew members as soon as possible,” the department said.
In a TV interview on Saturday, Assistant Secretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said Filipinos to be repatriated must test negative twice before embarkation.
There were about 480 Filipinos on the Diamond Princess. Of this number, 52 were tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019.
Once they arrive in the Philippines, they will also be quarantined at the New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac.