Pinoys aboard Diamond Princess to return home on Sunday, February 23

Around 500 Filipinos aboard the coronavirus-hit Diamond Princess cruise ship docked in Japan’s Yokohama Port will be repatriated by the Philippine government on Sunday, February 23, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III announced Thursday.

At a press briefing, Duque said the repatriates will arrive at the Haribon Hangar of Clark Air Base in two planes and then quarantined at the New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac.

“I think the Japanese Government has already decided that they’ll close down the ship. This is not for sure yet… but we have to bring them out as soon as possible,” he said.

Duque said 16 hospitals across the country have volunteered to send 10 teams each to aid in the quarantine of some 500 repatriates.

Out of the 3,711 people aboard the Diamond Princess, 538 are Filipinos —531 crew members and seven passengers.

However, Duque said it is not yet final that all 538 Filipinos on the ship will be repatriated since some might still decide to stay.

Meanwhile, Filipinos aboard the cruise ship showing symptoms of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) will not be repatriated as they must first undergo monitoring or treatment at a Japanese hospital.

Duque said the Philippine government is willing to repatriate Filipinos who have tested positive for the virus and those showing COVID-19 symptoms once they have recovered.

The manning agency A. Magsaysay Inc. will shoulder the cost of accommodation, food, and other expenses of the repatriates, he added.

The health secretary said the number of Filipinos on the ship who have tested positive for COVID-19 has risen to 44.

“It’s already 44, but subject to validation,” he said.

People aboard the Diamond Princess began disembarking on Wednesday after the two-week quarantine of the ship ended.

The entire vessel was placed under quarantine last February 3 after one of its passengers tested positive for COVID-19.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. earlier ordered the immediate repatriation of all Filipinos aboard the ship.  —LDF, GMA News