No Filipino COVID-19 cases in New Zealand ambassador confirms

Philippine Ambassador to Wellington Jesus Domingo confirmed that no Filipinos are among the confirmed COVID-19 cases in New Zealand.

Domingo stated that the Philippine Embassy has not received any reports of Filipinos being affected by the disease from either the New Zealand government or the Filipino community.

Despite the absence of COVID-19 cases among Filipinos, scores of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) have lost their jobs due to the pandemic.

The Philippine Embassy is processing applications for financial assistance from the Department of Labor and Employment and coordinating with New Zealand authorities for food packs and accommodation for displaced Filipinos.

The Embassy also facilitated the repatriation of 60 stranded Filipino tourists and students in April and continues to accept online registrations for those needing assistance or repatriation.

New Zealand is preparing to move to Alert Level 2, indicating a significant improvement in the country's COVID-19 situation.

Ambassador Domingo praised New Zealand's effective pandemic management, describing it as "one of the world's best" due to the cooperation between the government, opposition, and citizens.

As of May 12, 2020, New Zealand has recorded 1,497 confirmed COVID-19 cases, with 21 deaths and 1,398 recoveries.