MANILA, Philippines – A total of 444 Filipinos aboard the MV Grand Princess docked in the port of Oakland in California, USA are set to arrive in the country on Monday, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Sunday.
In a statement, the DFA said the repatriated Filipinos are expected to land at the Haribon Hangar in Clark Airbase in Pampanga. They departed San Francisco around 9 p.m. on March 14 (Pacific Time).
The Filipinos underwent health screening upon disembarkation from the cruise ship facilitated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the DFA added.
“The repatriation preparations undertaken by the DFA include securing clearances and permits for disembarkation, as well as land transfer to the chartered plane,” it further said.
The 444 repatriates are composed of 438 crew members and six passengers.
“Upon arrival, the group shall be immediately transported on chartered buses and shall be subjected to 14-day quarantine period at the Athletes’ Village in New Clark City under the full medical attention of health professionals from the Department of Health (DOH),” the department said.
Meanwhile, 91 Filipino crew members are still onboard the ship after they volunteered to stay to maintain the vessel.
The MV Grand Princess, operated by Princess Cruises, was held off in Oakland after some of its passengers were confirmed to have contracted novel coronavirus disease.
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