Galvez: 19 repatriated OFWs test positive for coronavirus

MANILA, Philippines — At least 19 repatriated overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) were tested positive for the novel coronavirus or SARS-CoV-2 that causes the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

National Task Force against COVID-19 (NTF) chief implementer Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. on Wednesday said the 19 OFWs who tested positive were among the almost 1,000 who undergone tests for COVID-19.

The task force is still waiting for the official report from the Red Cross.

The NTF has suspended all inbound international flights in the country in a bid to decongest quarantine facilities for OFWs.

The temporary flight ban is supposed to last until May 9.

“Nagkaroon ng restrictions kasi halos puno na ang mga hotels and accommodations sa Metro Manila. Kailangan natin i-regulate ang inbound passengers natin para mapigilan ang second wave. Baka malusutan tayo,” Galvez said in a Laging Handa online press briefing.

(Restrictions were imposed because hotels and other accommodations in Metro Manila are almost overwhelmed already. We need to regulate our inbound passengers to block the second wave.)

He added that a total of 44,724 OFWs are expected to arrive in the country in May. The government will limit incoming passengers from 400 to 500 only after May 9.

The NTF official clarified that there are no restrictions on outbound passengers.

JPV