Please be advised that Magsaysay has been informed by the Inter Agency Task Force (IATF) regarding the implementation of updated measures aimed in preventing the spread of the virus and in protecting Filipinos.
Though the implementing guidelines for the updated measures have not been made available for broader public consumption, below are its salient points:
- All repatriated OFWs, both sea-based and land-based, are required to undergo a mandatory 14-day quarantine.
- Cruise companies planning to repatriate crew members are governed by the Department of Health (DOH) Department Circular 0143. All are required to submit documents and certification to secure clearance from the Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ).
- There are two (2) types of clearances issued by the BOQ with respect to the updated 14-day quarantine measures:
- Mandatory Facility Based Quarantine clearance are issued to ships that are free of COVID-19. Manning agencies book crew members on mandatory quarantine in designated hotels or on chartered quarantine ships by the Government. Monitoring supervision will be overseen by the Overseas Workers Welfare Authority (OWWA) and the Philippines Coast Guard (PCG).
- Stringent Facility Based Quarantine clearance are issued to ships with documented COVID-19 cases or infection. Manning agencies book crew members on mandatory quarantine in designated hotels. Monitoring supervision will be overseen by the Department of Health (DOH) and the Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ).
All arriving crew members will have be fetched by a representative from the manning agency, otherwise, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) personnel will be bringing arriving crew members from the airport or seaport to the quarantine ship chartered by the Philippine government which is docked at South Harbor.
