Gov’t working on repatriation of Filipinos on quarantined cruise ship in Japan

MANILA, Philippines — A government inter-agency task force is currently discussing the possible repatriation of 538 Filipino passengers and crewmembers with  Princess Cruises, which operates the quarantined Diamond Princess cruise liner at Yokohama Port in Japan.

“We are trying to discuss it with it with MV Diamond Princess and also through our inter-agency task force na nakikipagnegotiate po sa may-ari ng shipping line para sa repatriation ng ating mga kababayan (which is negotiating with the owners of the shipping line for the repatriation of our countrymen),” Dr. Maria Rosario Vergeire, Department of Health (DOH) assistant secretary DOH), said in an interview with Radyo Inquirer on Monday.

Vergeire said the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases is still looking for quarantine site in the country for the returning Filipinos.

A total of 27 Filipinos onboard the vessel that has been quarantined since February 5 have tested positive for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

This includes 16 new confirmed cases on Saturday, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

COVID-19 infected Filipinos on cruise ship in Japan now at 27 

The total number of infected individuals in the cruise ship has swollen to 355.

“The Japanese Health Ministry announced that all crew and passengers on board will be tested beginning today, February 17, so that test results will be available by the time the ship’s quarantine period ends,” the DFA said in a statement.

The DFA assured that the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo is closely coordinating with concerned government agencies in the Philippines and Japan, as well as with representatives of the World Health Organization and Princess Cruises to ensure that the needs of the Filipino crewmembers and passengers are attended to and to facilitate their return to the country.

GSG