MANILA, Philippines — Almost 2,000 European tourists who were stranded in the Philippines during the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine are now on their way back home, the European Union (EU) said Sunday.
We are working hard with #EU Member States & @DFAPHL to repatriate all stranded tourists.
Well done to all involved 🇩🇪 🇨🇿 🇫🇷 🇩🇰 🇳🇱 🇦🇹 🇵🇱 🇨🇭 ✈️! Almost 2,000 Europeans went home this weekend!#StrongerTogether #COVID19 #WeHealAsOne pic.twitter.com/4wTgdt0vR7— EUinthePhilippines🇪🇺🇵🇭 (@EUinthePH) March 29, 2020
In a Twitter post, the EU said EU union-member countries, as well as the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) were working hard to assist the repatriates.
Thelma Gecolea, public affairs officer at the EU Delegation in the Philippines, added that approximately 3,000 Europeans remain stranded in the country.
Switzerland, Gecolea stated, will have a planned flight at midnight Sunday and will take some Europeans.
France and Netherlands, meanwhile, have planned flights for Tuesday and Thursday, Gecolea added.
Airports in Luzon have temporarily suspended operations due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) crisis.
As of Sunday, the number of COVID-19 positive cases in the country has reached 1,418.
To contain the spread of the disease, the Philippine government has placed Luzon under an enhanced community quarantine.
