The Department of Foreign Affairs on Thursday said 253 distressed overseas Filipino workers from Kuwait have been repatriated as the world grapples against the spread of coronavirus pandemic.
The DFA said the Philippine Embassy in Kuwait arranged a humanitarian flight to repatriate the Filipinos from the Talha Deportation Center, the Public Authority for Manpower (PAM) Expatriate Shelter, and the Philippine Embassy shelter.
The repatriation was made possible despite the closure of the Kuwait International Airport due to the pandemic.
In a statement, the DFA said that all the 253 Filipino repatriates underwent the appropriate medical protocols and check-up at the airport as required by the health department’s Bureau of Quarantine.
“The repatriates were reminded further to observe strict home quarantine for 14 days,” the statement said.
The OFWs were likewise provided with transportation to their destinations in Metro Manila or home provinces in Luzon.
According to the DFA, those who are not able to return to their homes due to the lockdown in Metro Manila were provided with temporary shelter.
The over 200 Filipino repatriates were welcomed by representatives from the DFA Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, Department of Health, Department of Transportation, Bureau of Immigration, and Manila International Airport Authority.