444 Pinoy crew, passengers of virus-hit ship arrive today

MANILA, Philippines — A total of 444 Filipinos on the coronavirus-hit MV Grand Princess cruise ship docked in the Port of Oakland in California were cleared by United States health authorities of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and were repatriated yesterday.

The group is expected to arrive in Clark, Pampanga today, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.

The repatriates, composed of 438 crew and six passengers, departed San Francisco via a chartered flight and will arrive this morning at the Haribon Hangar in Clark Air Base, it said.

The DFA said they did not show any COVID-19 symptoms after screening by the US Department of Health and Human Services.

DFA spokesperson Assistant Secretary Eduardo Meñez said 13 Filipinos aboard the ship tested positive for COVID-19  and were brought to various health facilities in the US. 

Meñez said 444 decided to be repatriated while 78 crew volunteered to remain on ship as part of the minimum operational manning team.

Three Filipino passengers who are California residents stayed in the US.

Upon arrival, the group will immediately board chartered buses and will be subjected to a 14-day quarantine at the Athletes’ Village in New Clark City under the full medical attention of health professionals from the Department of Health, the DFA said.