228 'Costa Fascinosa' Filipino seafarers from Brazil return home; 290 more from Oceania, Norwegian Cruises

228 Filipino seafarers from Brazil return home
Apr 13 2020 https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/13/20/228-filipino-seafarers-from-brazi...

MANILA - More than 200 Filipino seafarers on Monday arrived in Manila from Brazil, bringing the country's total number of repatriates since the outbreak of the COVID-19, to more than 13,000, the Department of Foreign Affairs said.

The 228 sailors of the Costa Fascinosa cruise ship will undergo a 14-day home quarantine in compliance with protocol set by the Department of Health.

As of Easter Sunday, the DFA has repatriated 9,136 seafarers and 3,008 land-based OFWs. The agency said it expects more Filipinos to return home in the coming days.

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration earlier said 23,000 more seafarers await repatriation as the virus halted cruise operations.

290 Pinoy seafarers arrive in Manila
Pia Lee-Brago - April 13, 2020 - https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2020/04/13/2006959/290-pinoy-seafarer...

MANILA, Philippines — Some 290 Filipino seafarers from Oceania and Norwegian Cruises were flown yesterday to Manila from the United States.

The seafarers arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport via Emirates Airlines Flight EK 334.

Upon their arrival, the repatriates were subjected to mandatory inspection and briefing by the Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ), Department of Health and Bureau of International Health Cooperation. They will undergo a 14-day home quarantine.

The Philippine embassy in Abu Dhabi facilitated the repatriation of the seafarers in cooperation with the Norwegian Cruise Lines and local manning agency CF Sharp.

The Department of Foreign Affairs said the DFA and its partners will continue to bring home land and sea-based overseas Filipino workers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic well beyond Holy Week.