Gov’t Discussing Repatriation Plans for Pinoys on Virus-Hit Diamond Princess —DOLE
By TINA PANGANIBAN-PEREZ, GMA News
The government is discussing repatriation plans for the hundreds of Filipinos on a cruise ship currently quarantined in Japan due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the Department of Labor and Employment said Tuesday.
Labor Undersecretary Ana Dione told GMA News that the procedures used to repatriate Filipinos from Wuhan, China may also be implemented for the Filipinos on board the cruise ship.
“Kung ia-adopt natin yung nangyari nung una sa Wuhan, then most probably ia-apply rin natin. Kasi wala namang puwersahan ito e,” Dione said, clarifying that Filipinos may also opt not to be repatriated.
The Diamond Princess, carrying 3,711 passengers and crew, has been docked in Yokohama, Japan for the last two weeks after the virus was discovered among several people on board.
Its quarantine will end on Wednesday.
According to the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo, there are 538 Filipinos on the ship—531 crew and seven passengers. As of Tuesday, the number of them infected with COVID-19 is 35.
According to the Fepartment of Foreign Affairs in an earlier report, the patients are currently in hospitals in Japan.
“Our government, of course, through the Department of Foreign Affairs, may plano talaga na pauwiin muna yung ating mga manggagawa sa cruise ship. Kaya nga lang, we have to cooperate and observe ‘yung protocol which is being done by ‘yung Ministry of Health ng Japan,” Dione added.
Dione said that Filipinos who are still sick on the date of the repatriation may not be included in the trip.
“Ang hirap mag-speculate kung ano ang mangyayari but what is certain is if things happen, meron namang mga procedures na io-observe. So they may not be able to be repatriated sabay-sabay. It would really depend on the situation. Basta the health protocols will be observed,” Dione stressed.
Once the repatriates arrive in the Philippines, they will again undergo a 14-day quarantine.
“Magka-quarantine ulit tayo. But as to where, kasama yan sa detalye na pag-uusapan,” Dione said.
Dione also said that the repatriates will receive assistance from the government.
“Isa yon sa mga detalye na pinag-uusapan—on how, what are the assistance to be given them. Meron pa rin yung tinatawag nating legal assistance to see to it that their jobs are secure,” Dione added. — BM, GMA News
Source: www.gmanetwork.com