By ANALOU DE VERA
The repatriation of Filipinos aboard the M/V Diamond Princess cruise ship was moved next week in order to allow health authorities in Japan to complete the laboratory testing of the Filipino crew and passengers for COVID-19, the Department of Health announced yesterday.
“The Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Disease has unanimously resolved to tentatively schedule the repatriation of Overseas Filipinos aboard the M/V Diamond Princess cruise ship early next week,” the DoH said.
“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 Japanese quarantine protocols,” it added.
The repatriation was originally scheduled today.
The DoH said the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo, Japan is closely coordinating with the Japanese health and foreign ministry to complete the quarantine protocols to repatriate the Filipino crew members and passengers as soon as possible.
“The IATF-EID is adjusting the schedule out of an abundance of caution with a view to safeguarding the health and safety of our OFs onboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship,” the DoH said.
“The Japanese government has ensured that appropriate health services are being provided to affected OFs aboard the ship,” it added.
Last Friday, Health Assistant Secretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said that around 460 to 480 Filipinos aboard the cruise ship docked in Yokohama have requested assistance to return to the Philippines.
Those who will manifest symptoms of COVID-19 will not be repatriated. Vergeire said that two planes will accommodate the repatriates, arriving three to four hours apart.
The flights will be manned by medical teams. Members of the medical team will be wearing hazardous materials suits for their own protection.
Upon their arrival at the Haribon Hangar of the Clark Airbase in Pampanga, the repatriates will be transported to the Athletes’ Village in New Clark City, where they will be monitored for 14 days for signs and symptoms of COVID-19.