Coast Guard: Quarantine ships, treatment facility in Port Area still COVID-19 free

Coast Guard: Quarantine ships, treatment facility in Port Area still COVID-19 free
Betheena Kae Unite May 7, 2020 https://news.mb.com.ph/2020/05/07/coast-guard-quarantine-ships-treatment...

The quarantine facilities established in Port Area, Manila remain free from coronavirus disease, the Philippine Coast Guard said Thursday (May 7).

None of the returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) currently under quarantine at the two 2GO ships and Eva Macapagal Super Terminal quarantine facility have tested positive for COVID-19, the Coast Guard confirmed.

“Today, there is no confirmed COVID-19 positive case in the quarantine facilities, and the 317 repatriated overseas Filipinos remain healthy and show no sign or symptom of the virus,” it said in its latest report on the status of OFWs staying at the quarantine facilities.

The three quarantine facilities care for both sea-based and land-based returning overseas Filipino workers.

According to the Coast Guard, 202 seafarers are under quarantine at the Eva Macapagal Terminal quarantine site, 76 sea-based and land-based OFWs are aboard the MV St. John Paul, and 39 more OFWs are on the MV Anthony de Padua.

Many of the previously repatriated OFWs were sent back home after completing the 14-day mandatory quarantine while the rest await transportation to their respective provinces.

“Since April 14, a total of 265 individuals have completed their mandatory quarantine period and have been sent home to their localities, while 70 OFWs are now awaiting transport to their respective home provinces or cities,” the Coast Guard said.

In a bid to provide temporary accommodations for returning OFWs, including seafarers, who need to undergo 14-day mandatory quarantine, two 2GO passengers vessels were commissioned by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to serve as quarantine ships, and a COVID-19 treatment facility was et up at the Eva Macapagal Super Terminal in Pier 15.

The Maritime Industry Authority, licensed manning agencies, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, Philippine Ports Authority, DOTr, and the Coast Guard have been working together to transport the OFWs back to their hometowns.