13K OFWs in quarantine stretch Owwa’s facilities, resources

13K OFWs in quarantine stretch Owwa’s facilities, resources
Samuel P. Medenilla December 16, 2021 https://businessmirror.com.ph/2021/12/16/13k-ofws-in-quarantine-stretch-...

AROUND 13,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFW) are now back in the country in time for the Christmas holidays, putting considerable strain on quarantine accommodations of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (Owwa).

During the launch of the National Action Plan on Sustainable, Gender-Responsive Return and Reintegration of OFWs last Thursday, Owwa Administrator Hans J. Cacdac disclosed they are providing accommodation to 12,800 OFWs.

He noted the said OFWs are now staying in 212 hotel quarantine facilities.

“There is no question that the Covid-19 (novel coronavirus disease) pandemic has stretched our resources,” Cacdac said.

The government is currently requiring all inbound passengers, including OFWs, to undergo quarantine, which could range from 3 to 7 days depending on their vaccination status and country of origin.

The said measures were implemented amid the influx of returning OFWs, who want to spend Christmas with their loved ones.

OWWA earlier projected around 80,000 OFWs are expected to arrive in the country this month.

The longer mandatory facility-based quarantine was enforced by the government as a precaution to prevent more cases of the Omicron variant of Covid-19 from entering the country.

Health experts warned the heavy mutations of the Omicron variant makes it more infectious compared to other Covid-causing SARS-CoV-2 variants.

Last Wednesday, the Department of Health (DOH) confirmed there were two passengers, who arrived a few weeks ago, who tested positive for the Omicron variant. Both were tested while they were under facility-based quarantine.