The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said on Monday, Aug. 9, that it is strictly implementing a “no contact policy” on the roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) passenger ship that is currrently anchored at the Bauan Bay of Batangas after 28 crew tested positive for coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Personnel of Batangas Station have conducted seaborne patrol in the area to ensure no watercraft will come near the RoRo passenger ship St. Anthony De Padua (2GO), the PCG said in a statement.
“Bawal lapitan at bawal ding bumaba . Pag may kailangan yung crew, PCG personnel ang maghahatid (No one is allowed to approach or disembark the vessel. If the crew needs anything, the PCG personnel will deliver),” PCG Spokesperson Commodore Armand Balilo told the reporters.
Balilo bared that only 25 COVID-19 positive crew members were on board, while all passengers disembarked the vessel.
The PCG said three crew members disembarked the vessel and are currently isolated in San Juan Doctors Hospital, Golden Gate General Hospital, and Chateau Royale Kalinga Hotel in Batangas for needed medical attention.
According to the Coast Guard, the RoRo vessel has a doctor on board to assist the remaining crew members infected with the viral disease.
It added that the shipping company has also regularly communicated with the authorities on the latest condition of the crew and the vessel.
The passenger vessel sailed from Caticlan, Malay, Aklan traveled to Bauan Bay, Batangas last Tuesday, Aug. 3.
READ MORE: COVID-19 infects 25 RoRo vessel crew members
The PCG said when the vessel arrived in Batangas on Saturday, Aug. 7, one of the crew felt COVID-19 symptoms and underwent RT-PCR test. It was later found out that he tested positive for COVID-19.
The remaining crew also underwent the RT-PCR test and it was found out that 27 crew were also infected. The PCG Station Batangas said the 25 crew on board are currently asymptomatic and have minor symptoms.
Authorities have yet to determine how long the crew members will remain in quarantine on board the vessel.