At least 4,559 Filipino seafarers from 14 cruise ships anchored off the port of Manila are set to finish their mandatory quarantine in the coming week.
Jaime Morente, Bureau of Immigration commissioner, said the seafarers whose cruise ships came from Australia, Indonesia, Singapore, and Japan are expected to disembark on May 17.
“We follow strict protocols in processing arriving seafarers aboard cruise ships,” he said.
Upon arrival in the country, cruise ships are required to undergo a mandatory 14-day quarantine anchorage by the Bureau of Quarantine.
Upon disembarkation, quarantine officials will assess the seafarers for signs and symptoms of COVID-19.
Morente said disembarking seafarers from cargo and other types of vessels also undergo a 14-day quarantine.
Only Filipino crew and repatriated foreign seafarers are allowed to disembark after receiving a health clearance.
The bureau is expecting another eight cruise ships and three maritime vessels to arrive within the week.
