Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 29)— Hundreds of Filipino crew members aboard Italy-docked cruise ships have arrived back in the Philippines on Saturday evening, the Foreign Affairs Department said.
In a statement Sunday, DFA said it welcomed 370 Filipino crew evacuees from three different cruise ships in Italy, the most COVID-hit nation in Europe.
Of this number, 248 came from MV Costa Luminosa docked in Milan, while 122 were crew members of MV Grandiosa and MV Opera both docked in Rome.
All crew members were asymptomatic prior to boarding their Manila flight, DFA added. However, they will still undergo the mandatory 14-day quarantine, in line with the health protocol against the infectious disease.
Foreign Affairs Chief Teodoro “Teddy Boy” Locsin Jr. earlier said around 4,000 Filipino crew members are expected to come home in the next three weeks amid the global pandemic.
Worldwide, over 665,000 people have been infected by COVID-19 in 177 different countries including China, where the mysterious virus first spread. More than 30,800 deaths have also been recorded.
DFA Welcomes Home 370 Filipino Crew From Italy Amid COVID-19 Crisis: https://t.co/bAcLxSckMg
The @DFAPHL repatriated and welcomed home early evening yesterday a total of 370 Filipino crew members from three cruise ships docked in Italy.#OFWHelp#DFAinAction#WeHealAsOne pic.twitter.com/BDmbIUD6Ed
— DFA Philippines (@DFAPHL) March 29, 2020
