Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 21) — Filipinos from Wuhan, China were cleared to go home as they exhibited no signs and symptoms of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) after their 14-day quarantine.
According to the Department of Health (DOH) Friday, the 30 Filipinos and 19 others who handled the repatriation had no fever, cough, or sore throat during their 14-day stay at the New Clark City Athletes’ Village in Capas, Tarlac.
“We are glad that our repatriates are all well and safe from COVID-19. Our repatriation mission is not possible without the dedication and cooperation of the entire Interagency Task Force for Emerging Infectious Diseases with all its member agencies,” said Health Secretary Francisco Duque III.
Meanwhile, a new batch to be quarantined will arrive on Sunday. The 460 to 480 Filipinos are from the virus-hit M/V Diamond Princess Cruise Ship docked in Yokohama, Japan.
Manning agency Magsaysay Maritime Corporation will shoulder the costs of accommodation,food, and other peripheral items, the Health Department said. The Department of Transportation will offer assistance in transporting the returning Filipinos from the Haribon hangar in Pampanga to the quarantine facility.
The Health department said 139 people are under observation for the novel coronavirus, including 106 from Metro Manila.
Is NCC prepared to handle 500 evacuees?
Capas town Mayor Reynaldo Catacutan again appealed to the national government on Filipinos from the cruise ship who will also stay at the Athletes’ Village, expressing concern over the bigger number of people.
“Now as of the 500 Filipinos more or less, 500 is a number that for me is too much to handle. And if you are not prepared, malaki po ‘to. Talagang marami kung ikukumpara sa bilang ng mga Pilipino na nasa pangangalaga ngayon ng DOH sa New Clark City,” he said.
[Translation: Now as of the 500 Filipinos more or less, 500 is a number that for me is too much to handle. And if you are not prepared, this is a big number. It is a lot compared to the number of Filipinos who are now under the care of DOH in New Clark City.]
Catacutan said they extended help to the Filipinos from Wuhan despite the issues of what he called “non-coordination and non-consultation.”
“Bilang ama ng Capas, inuulit ko po [Translation: As the father of Capas, I will say this again.] I have to consider the safety and welfare of my people. May these circumstances be thoroughly weighed and the responsibility be shared in accordance with the capacity of each to handle the situations like this,” he said in a video post on Facebook.
Catacutan suggested that evacuees from Visayas and Mindanao be sent to their home regions, so that they can also be closer to their families. Those from Luzon can stay in New Clark City, he added.
“We sincerely suggest na hatiin sana po ang kanilang bilang at mailagay sa iba pang mga facilities na kayang i-secure gaya po ng NCC o mas appropriate pa kaysa dito para mas ma-accommodate sila at walang overcrowding,” he said.
[Translation: We sincerely suggest that the number of evacuees be divided and place them to other facilities that have the capacity of the NCC, or even better in order to accommodate them and avoid overcrowding.]
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said government agencies are preparing to execute the repatriation plan. He said there will be two chartered flights to fetch the Filipinos from Haneda Airport.
“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 Friday.
