4 Pinoy MV Hondius crew members arrive in Netherlands, says PH Embassy

At least four Filipino crew members of hantavirus-hit MV Hondius arrived in Eindhoven, Netherlands on Sunday night, the Philippine Embassy in The Hague said, citing information from Netherlands authorities.

The crew members were on the flight arranged by the Netherlands government from the Tenerife in Spain’s Canary Islands.

"The Netherlands Government has arranged facilities for the Filipino crew members for the 6-week quarantine, as prescribed by World Health Organization protocols," the Embassy said in a statement.

"In coordination with the Migrant Workers Office in Berlin, the Embassy continues to closely monitor the situation of the Filipino crew members while in quarantine," it added.

The Embassy also said that a second batch, consisting of 17 crew members, will be to leave Tenerife on Monday and travel to the Netherlands.

"The remaining crew members who are regular deck and engine crew will sail the vessel from Tenerife to Rotterdam, Netherlands, and thereafter likewise undergo the 6-week quarantine."

The Migrant Workers' Office (MWO) in Berlin said crew members that have completed the required quarantine period their repatriation flight will be arranged by the Philippine local manning agency.

Meanwhile, the Embassy has requested to visit the crew members in quarantine, while observing health protocols, at the soonest time possible. — BAP, GMA News