The Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) said the government will be implementing a voluntary repatriation on the Diamond Princess, where there are 538 Filipinos, docked off Yokohama.
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said the government will repatriate those who will be requesting repatriation from the government.
The two-week quarantine period imposed by Japanese authorities on the ship ends on Wednesday.
The Department of Foreign Affairs ( DFA), through the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo said ”the Japanese government is scheduled to announce today the disembarkation procedures for the end of the ship’s quarantine period.”
As to the Filipinos quarantined at the M/V Diamond Princess, the IATF-EID said that the government will be implementing a voluntary repatriation.
Duque said the task force decided to repatriate only those, who will be requesting repatriation from the Philippine government.
“We ensure our kababayans aboard the M/V Diamond Princess that your health and well-being is of utmost importance,” said Duque.
The DFA reports that as of Tuesday, the number of Filipinos onboard the cruise ship who have tested positive for COVID-19 is at 35.
”This includes eight new cases, who are all crew members, confirmed Tuesday”, the DFA said.
The Filipinos who tested positive for COVID-19 were immediately transferred to Japanese hospitals and being treated. the DFA said.
”The Embassy constantly communicates with all patients currently confined in Japanese hospitals to ensure their well-being and to provide assistance,”the DFA added.
”As such, the Embassy is coordinating with all relevant Philippine and Japanese government agencies and is meeting with senior management representatives of Princess Cruises to ensure an orderly and safe repatriation of Filipinos once they clear the Japanese quarantine requirements,” the DFA added. DMS