MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is bracing for the arrival at the port of Manila of at least 21 cruise ships carrying thousands of Filipino seafarers. They will be assisted by the PCG so they may return to their respective home provinces through the ‘Balik-Probinsya Program’ of the national government. The 10 foreign cruise ships docked at Manila Bay are carrying an estimated 2,500 Filipinos, who would be made to go on quarantine upon disembarkation. “When the seaman disembarks, just to be sure, there would be regulation that they have to observe mandatory quarantine,” Balilo said. ADVERTISEMENTIf any passenger on the ship showed COVID-19 symptoms before disembarking, he or she would be brought directly to a hospital, the PCG spokesperson added.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer April 29, 2020 12:00 UTC