WITH almost 500 individuals needing to pass through Japanese quarantine protocols, the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Disease (IATF-EID) has opted to delay the repatriation of those on board the M/V Diamond Princess cruise ship docked in Japan.

In a statement released by the Department of Health (DOH), the IATF-EID disclosed that the schedule of repatriation has been tentatively reset to "early next week", instead on Sunday, February 23.

"This is to allow the Japanese health authorities to complete the laboratory testing the 400-plus Filipino crew members aboard the ship and comply with the established Japanese quarantine protocols," said the DOH.

"The IATF-EID is adjusting the schedule out of an abundance of caution with a view to safeguarding the health and safety of our overseas Filipinos onboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship," said it furthered.

In a television interview, DOH Assistant Secretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said that, as of their latest information, only half of those who sought to be repatriated have undergone testing.

"Everyone is supposed to be tested before embarking. But, as of yesterday, only half of them have completed testing. They started last Friday. They are supposed to finished it today," said Vergeire.

Another cause of delay, according to the health official, is that February 23 and 24 are declared national holidays in Japan as it is the Emperor's birthday.

"They have a long weekend in Japan so there are no ground handlers in the airport, where the repatriates will be brought to," related Vergeire.

Last Thursday, DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III announced that almost 500 Filipinos on board the cruise ship are set to be repatriated on Sunday.

They will then be brought straight to the Athletes Village in New Clark City to undergo the mandatory 14-day quarantine period.(HDT)