More seafarers head home as cruise industry takes the blunt from COVID-19 pandemic

Hundreds of seafarers return home as cruise industry takes the blunt of COVID-19 pandemic

MANILA – The Department of Foreign Affairs, assisted by staff members from the Department of Health’s Bureau of Quarantine, Department of Transportation, Philippine Coast Guard and MIAA, welcomed 206 Filipino crewmembers from Magsaysay Maritime Corporation, Wilhelmsen-Smith Bell Manning and Multinational Maritime Manning at 4:00 PM today.

Viking Cruises and the Philippine Embassy in Oslo arranged for the repatriation. The crew members underwent appropriate medical protocols and will undergo the mandatory 14-day quarantine required by the DOH-BOQ.

An hour after, a plane with 329 Filipino seafarers were met by Philippine government officials and the RCCL Crew Management, Inc.

Royal Caribbean Cruises, assisted by the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C., arranged the repatriation.

After undergoing the appropriate medical protocols, they will also undertake the mandatory 14-day quarantine. (Melo M. Acuña)

Seafarers arrive on two separate flights as the cruise industry suffers from the COVID-19 pandemic. (DFA Photos)