The Filipino passengers of Diamond Princess cruise ship who have disembarked from the vessel will be quarantined anew for another 14 days in the country, following the end of the first 14-day quarantine period in Japan.
Department of Health (DOH) Asec. Maria Vergeire said the Filipino passengers and crew members of the ship who have volunteered to be evacuated will be quarantined for two weeks.
“Even though they were already quarantined in that ship for 14 days, we are now requiring another set of 14-day period for them so that we can minimize this possibility na – baka saka-sakali – kahit wala silang nae-exhibit na sintomas, ay makapanghawa sila sa iba. So , this 14-day period will somehow give us that assurance na maminimize natin itong transmission na ito,” Vergeire said.
The DOH has already identified the quarantine facility to be used and has been coordinating with the local government unit (LGU) to prevent the issue on Capas, Tarlac quarantine issue from resurfacing.
Meanwhile, some Filipinos have expressed their need to return to the Philippines, including a crew member of the Diamond Princess ship whose test results are pending.
The DOH said only patients showing no symptoms of the COVID-19 will be repatriated and will have to be tested before boarding the plane.
The DOH also assured the airplane travel of repatriates will be handled by their employers. A team from the health department will also assist the repatriates once they have returned to the country.
“Kung saka-sakali po na ang magiging final arrangement natin is a chartered plane, magkakasama po sila at maaari na hindi lang isang carrier, dahil marami nga po sila,” Vergeire said.
The date of the repatriation has yet to be announced, but the DOH has been finalizing the needed clearances and in continued coordination with the Japanese government.
Testing will be done, assessment will be done, and hopefully, maiayos na natin ang repatriation in the coming days,” Vergeire said.
The number of Filipino crewmen and women of the ship who tested positive for nCoV has now reached 41.
The DOH also said all repatriates in New Clark City have been asymptomatic for three days, except for a 38-year-old woman with high blood pressure. They will still be strictly monitored for the next two weeks, following their expected release this Saturday. – Report from Mark Fetalco
