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Locsin orders repatriation of Filipinos on Diamond Princess


Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr has ordered the immediate repatriation of over 500 Filipinos aboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship that has been quarantined in Japan due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Out of the 538 Filipinos on the ship, 41 have already tested positive for COVID-19, the Department of Health confirmed earlier in the day.

“I have ordered our Tokyo Embassy to immediately repatriate our people in the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Yokohoma Japan. It’s our duty to take care of our Overseas Filipinos wherever they are. I want them home now!” Locsin said on Twitter. 

 

 

The entire ship was placed under quarantine on February 3 after a passenger was confirmed to have COVID-19.

The cruise ship began disembarking passengers when the two-week quarantine ended on Wednesday.

At least 30 Filipinos from Wuhan, China—the epicenter of the COVID-19 outbreak—were earlier repatriated by the Department of Foreign Affairs.

The repatriates from Wuhan are still under quarantine at New Clark City (NCC).

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III previously said that the Filipinos aboard the Diamond Princess can still be accommodated at the NCC for quarantine upon their return to the Philippines. —NB, GMA News

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