Over 600 repatriates test negative for COVID-19, sent home after 3 days —BCDA

More than 600 repatriates tested negative for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and were sent home three days after their arrival, the Bases and Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) said Sunday.

On Thursday, 347 seafarers from Barbados and 307 land-based workers from Dubai were swabbed upon their arrival at the Clark International Airport.

Two tested positive for COVID-19 and were isolated and taken to a quarantine facility.

Repatriates who tested negative for the respiratory illness were given health certificates by the Bureau of Quarantine.

"Ito naman ang pinangako ng gobyerno—na hindi hihigit sa limang araw ang pagaantay ng ating mga OFWs. Nagagalak kaming makita na napakabilis ng pagdaan sa proseso ng mga kababayan natin na lumapag sa Clark,” said Vince Dizon, BCDA chief and deputy chief implementer of the government’s COVID-19 response.

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier ordered concerned agencies to fast-track the release of repatriates waiting for clearance to go home to their provinces. 

The BCDA said the quick turnaround time for COVID-19 test results was fueled by the increase in the number of certified laboratories outside Metro Manila.

The Philippines has logged 25,930 infections with 5,954 recoveries and 1,088 fatalities as of Sunday. — Julia Mari Ornedo/BM, GMA News