200 Filipino seafarers from a cruise ship that arrived in Manila recently were barred from entering the Philippines due to public health safety concerns amidst the continuing spread of the 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
According to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), the Filipino crew of the Netherlands-based Westerdam Cruise Ship was refused to take shore leave when it docked at the Port Manila for re-provisioning at about 8 a.m. on Sunday, March 1.
According to PCG, the ship’s origin was from Cambodia and on its way to Hawaii.
“Pag na-complete yung delivery, alis na din sila going to Hawaii,” PCG spokesman Commodore Armando Balilo stated.
Apart from the Pinoy crew members, 747 foreign employees were also barred from disembarking. (RJ Espartinez)