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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Coronavirus-hit cruise ship arrives in PH to bring Filipino seafarers

Coronavirus-hit cruise ship arrives in PH to bring Filipino seafarers

Published May 7, 2020 12:00 am
By Betheena Unite A coronavirus-hit cruise ship previously docked in Australia arrived in the Philippines on May 7, Thursday, carrying more than 200 Filipino seafarers, the Philippine Coast guard confirmed. The MV Ruby Princess, which sparked coronavirus infections and was the subject of an investigation in Australia, reached Manila at 8 a.m. Thursday, Commodore Armand Balilo, Coast Guard spokesman, said. It was carrying a total of 214 Filipino seafarers who were immediately tested for COVID-19 upon docking at the Manila Bay anchorage. Balilo said that before reaching Manila, the virus-stricken cruise ship passed through the vicinity of Mindoro. It reportedly left Australia on April 24. Seafarers found positive for COVID-19 will be brought to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine, while those who turned out negative will be sent home but are advised to undergo 14-day quarantine in their respective homes. Of the seafarers manning the MV Ruby Princess, a total of 2,126 sea-based returning overseas Filipino workers have been tested, the Coast Guard said. Crew members of seven cruise ships—MV Carnival Spirit, MV Pacific Aria, MV Pacific Explorer, Costa Venezia, MV Voyager of the Seas, MV Sea Princess, and MV Sun Princess—had undergone testing on May 6 as medical teams from the Coast Guard launched a massive testing aboard vessels. Balilo revealed that eight more cruise ships carrying Filipino seafarers are expected to arrive in the country within two weeks.
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