Repatriated seafarers breach 16,000 mark as COVID-19 impacts on cruise and hospitality industries

More seafarers return home, arrivals breach 16,000 mark

MANILA – Foreign remittances will definitely be affected by the series of repatriation flights over the past few weeks as two consecutive flights with 571 Filipino crewmen of Norwegian Breakaway arrived Ninoy Aquino International Airport from Orlando, Florida, USA this morning.

The Department of Foreign Affairs said the total number of repatriated seafarers surpassed the 16,000 mark.

The new arrivals were subjected to stringent quarantine protocol with personnel from the Bureau of Quarantine and will be undergo a 14-day facility-based quarantine certified by the Department of Health (DOH).

The Philippine Embassy in Washington, DC and the local manning agency worked with different government agencies to bring home the COVID-19 affected workers from the cruise and hospitality industries.

The Norwegian Cruise Lines paid for the chartered flights while CF Sharp, the local manning agency of Norwegian Breakaway, provided the land transport to bring the affected seafarers to their quarantine facilities. Thy will be subjected to close monitoring by their agency and the Department of Health. (Melo M. Acuña)

Department of Foreign Affairs welcome 571 seafarers this morning at NAIA. (DFA Photos)