By Genalyn Kabiling Health safety protocols are in place for next week's repatriation of 497 Filipinos aboard the cruise ship quarantined at sea in Japan, Malacañang announced Friday. Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo
(OPS / MANILA BULLETIN) According to Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo, concerned government agencies have been mobilized to ensure the "seamless” repatriation of the Filipinos aboard the M/V Diamond Princess cruise ship, including their 14-day quarantine when they return home. The repatriation plan for the Filipinos has been approved by the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) in a meeting in Manila Friday after the two-week quarantine imposed on the vessel recently ended. "As of date, there are 497 Filipinos who are to be repatriated to the Philippines. They are expected to arrive early next week at the Clark International Airport through two chartered flights from the Haneda Airport," Panelo said in a statement Friday. "The Office of the President also assures the public that all precautionary measures and safety protocols are in place for the seamless repatriation of our countrymen from Japan," he said. Before returning to the country, he said these Filipinos must have completed a 14-day quarantine period in Japan. They must also secure the clearance certificates from Japan's Ministry of Health before flying back home. Upon arrival in the Philippines, Panelo said any repatriate who will manifest symptoms of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) shall be brought to the nearest hospital that may be referred by the Department of Health. "With respect to asymptomatic repatriates, they shall be securely transported to the Athlete’s Village in New Clark City to again undergo 14 days of quarantine," he added. He said government agencies, including the Department of Health, the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Department of the Interior and Local Government, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, and the Bureau of Immigration, have started preparations for the repatriation plan. These agencies are expected to provide support and assistance for the safety of the repatriates, as well of the personnel who are tasked to render aid, Panelo said. More than 600 passengers and crew members on the cruise ship have reportedly been infected by the coronavirus. At least 52 Filipinos are among those infected. The ship carried 3,700 people. Passengers who tested negative for the new coronavirus have started leaving the ship after the quarantine period was lifted. The government earlier fetched several Filipinos from Wuhan, China, the epicenter of COVID-19, and placed them under quarantine at the Athletes Village in Tarlac. These repatriates reportedly showed no signs of coronavirus symptoms and will be allowed to return home.