First batch of Pinoys from nCoV-hit Wuhan arrives in New Clark City

The first batch of Filipinos who were repatriated from novel coronavirus-stricken Wuhan, China arrived on Sunday at the quarantine facility area in New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac.

The group arrived before 8:30 a.m., according to Mark Makalalad of Super Radyo dzBB.

Mga Filipino na galing Wuhan, China, nakapasok na sa New Clark City na magsisilbing quarantine area @dzbb

— Mark Makalalad (@MMakalalad) February 9, 2020

New Clark City was placed under tight security for the arrival of the repatriated Filipinos.

VIDEO: New Clark City sa Capas, Tarlac na gagawing quarantine area ng mga Pinoy galing Wuhan, China, bantay-sarado na ng mga pulis; pagdating ng mga OFW, inaabangan na. | via @MMakalalad pic.twitter.com/yqUkuYH9V0

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) February 9, 2020

At least 30 Filipinos decided to return to the Philippines amid the ongoing spread of novel coronavirus in China, where at least 803 people died and around 37,000 were infected as of Sunday.

The Filipinos, repatriated with the help of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), arrived before 7 a.m. in Clark, Pampanga.

From 56 Filipinos expected to take the mercy flight, only 30 Pinoys boarded the plane, according to a Sunday report on Balitanghali by JP Soriano.

The DFA said the 26 Filipinos who remained in Wuhan backed out in the last minute, or had problems with their immigration status.

“‘Yung iba nag-back out dahil 'yung last minute gusto na nilang magtrabaho do’n to stay, 'yung iba naman kasi meron din silang mga ibang problema, may mga visa problems, may mga violations, o 'yung iba may cases so hindi sila nakasama,” according to Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Sarah Arriola.

“Only those with normal health status shall be placed for 14 days quarantine while those with symptoms will not be allowed to board the aircraft,” Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said.

“Upon arrival, they will be subjected to another screening and anybody that would manifest symptoms will be brought straight to the hospital,” he added.

They did not go through the Clark International Airport terminal, but went straight to Haribon Hangar of the Philippine Air Force.

The repatriated Filipinos were brought to the Athlete's Village in New Clark City via coaster buses for their 14-day quarantine period.

Passengers in coaster buses carrying repatriated OFWs from Wuhan, China are seen wearing hazmat suits, including the driver. Some are wearing face masks. They're on their way to an identified quarantine site in New Clark City, Tarlac @gmanews pic.twitter.com/FGCQ6wStF1

— Jonathan Andal (@JonathanAndal_) February 9, 2020

Two buildings in Athlete’s Village will be used as quarantine facilities: one for the repatriated Filipinos, and the other for government employees who assisted in the repatriation efforts.

Earlier, the Capas local government opposed plans to use the area due to health and safety concerns raised by residents. Later on, it agreed to host only the first batch of repatriated Filipinos from Wuhan. —Joviland Rita, with a report from Julia Mari Ornedo/KG/LBG GMA News