DFA Welcomes 262 Seafarers from Barbados in Clark

CLARK, PAMPANGA 30 June 2020 — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) welcomed 262 Filipino seafarers from Barbados this morning who arrived via Qatar Air chartered flight QR930.

The group forms part of the crew of vessels Harmony of the Seas, Azamara Pursuit, and Celebrity Equinox. Local Manning Agency Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines (RCCL) coordinated and chartered this repatriation flight.

The Filipino seafarers were subjected to testing for COVID-19 upon their arrival by the Bureau of Quarantine who also briefed them on quarantine protocols. Buses were made available to transport the morning arrival to designated facilities where they will undergo mandatory quarantine.

A special commercial flight is also expected to arrive this afternoon at this airport from Dubai, United Arab Emirates with some 320 passengers.

The DFA, together with its Philippine embassies and consulates around the world, continues to work with the various national agencies in assisting Filipinos around the world in the midst of the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. END

(Photos by DFA-OUMWA)