No Pinoys in New Zealand infected with COVID-19 — ambassador

There are no Filipinos in New Zealand infected with COVID-19, Philippine Ambassador Jesus Domingo said Tuesday, as the South Pacific nation plans to gradually ease restrictions to curb the spread of the virus.

“Walang naapektuhan in terms of sakit mismo,” Domingo said in a televised briefing.

Globally, a total of 2,195 overseas Filipinos have contracted the disease, with 644 recoveries and 260 deaths, according to a report by the Department of Foreign Affairs on Monday.

However, Filipinos in New Zealand have not been spared from the economic fallout brought about by the pandemic. Domingo said the Philippine government is helping the displaced Filipino workers through cash assistance.

The embassy had also facilitated the repatriation of stranded Filipino tourists and students last month.

Domingo said the embassy will reopen next week after New Zealand announced that it would end the lockdown over the next 10 days after the country managed to prevent the rise in the number of new infections.

New Zealand has so far reported 1,497 COVID-19 cases with 21 deaths. — Virgil Lopez/RSJ, GMA News