10 cruise ships with 3k Filipino crew docked in Manila Bay

Ten cruise ships with over 3,000 Filipino crew members are currently docked in Manila Bay.

The ships are part of the government's repatriation efforts for overseas Filipino workers amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is monitoring these vessels, with spokesperson Commander Armand Balilo confirming the numbers.

Before disembarkation, the Bureau of Quarantine must grant clearance after conducting health checks, which now include COVID-19 testing.

Upon clearance and disembarkation, the crew members are required to undergo a 14-day mandatory quarantine.

This new protocol aims to reduce costs for manning agencies and allow certified crew to enter their provinces.