Over 12K OFWs bound for Hong Kong amid coronavirus pandemic

MANILA, Philippines — Over 12,000 overseas Filipino workers are bound for Hong Kong over the next few weeks despite the threat of the coronavirus disease and ongoing local protests.

Of the number, some 7,907 are newly-hired migrant workers, while 4,755 are returning OFWs, Consul General in Hong Kong Raly Tejada said in the Laging Handa press briefing on Wednesday.

The number of OFWs going to Hong Kong, which Tejada said is a “little bit high,” worries the Hong Kong government since OFWs are required to undergo 14-day quarantine upon arriving at the region.

However, the Philippine government was able to come up with an agreement that employers and recruitment will shoulder the lodging expenses of the migrant workers.

“Ang mga employer at agencies na nagpadala dito ng mga employees ang siyang number one na may responsibilidad na maglagay sa quarantine centers, maging hotel man o sa mga pasilidad na tumatanggap ng quarantine,” he said.

(The employers and agencies first and foremost bear the responsibility of housing OFWs in quarantine facilities.)

On Tuesday, the Philippines registered its highest coronavirus infection to date with record 1,150 new cases, bringing the total number of confirmed cased to 31,825, with 8,442 recoveries and 1,186 fatalities.

Meanwhile, a total of 1,178 COVID-19 cases were confirmed in Hong Kong with 1,083 recoveries and six deaths.

EDV