DFA: Repatriated Filipinos due to pandemic hit 20,000

MANILA, Philippines — The total number of Filipinos repatriated by the Philippine government has reached 20,000, with the latest 600 plus seafarers of MV Queen Mary 2 arriving Saturday via two chartered flights from London.

Officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs, Singa Ship Management Philippines, Inc., Career Philippines Ship Management Inc., and Magsaysay Maritime Corporation met the seafarers on their return to the country.

“The repatriation of this batch of seafarers was made possible with the cooperation of the management of MV Mary Queen 2 and assistance of the Philippine Embassy in London,” DFA said in a statement.

The 610 seafarers underwent the appropriate airport medical protocols and will now undergo the mandatory 14-day quarantine period that the Department of Health-Bureau of Quarantine requires, according to DFA.

Representatives from the Overseas Workers Welfare Association, Department of Tourism, Department of Health, Bureau of Quarantine, Department of Transportation, Philippine Coast Guard, Maritime Industry Authority, and Manila International Airport were also present in welcoming the returning Filipino workers.

MV Queen Mary 2 is a British transatlantic liner and the flagship of Cunard Line.

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