Coronavirus: In the Philippines, Capas residents are up in arms over quarantine plans for overseas Filipino workers

The Athletes’ Village for the 2019 Southeast Asian Games is being used as a facility to isolate and monitor Filipinos repatriated from Wuhan

But those living in the town are worried for their health as well as the possible economic impact from the Duterte administration’s quarantine plan

Reading Time:4 minutes

A chartered flight carrying Filipinos from Wuhan arrives in the Philippines on February 9. Photo: AP

Published: 10:04pm, 10 Feb 2020Updated: 12:31am, 19 Mar 2020

Residents of Capas town in the province of Tarlac, north of Manila, have become the reluctant hosts of 49 Filipinos under watch for possible coronavirus infection, with some worried for their health while others are concerned over the possible economic impact on the town.

Of those quarantined in New Clark City at the Athletes’ Village built for the 2019 Southeast Asian Games, 30 are overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who arrived from Wuhan, the epicentre of the outbreak, on Sunday.

Joining them are two advance personnel from the Department of Foreign Affairs, six crew members from the plane that brought them back from Wuhan, eight members of the repatriation team and three ground crew operators, according to the Philippine Department of Health.

None of those repatriated had a fever or any respiratory symptoms on the flight, and they will continue to be monitored, the health department said.

Capas residents learned about the government’s intention to use the Athletes’ Village as a quarantine zone just days before it was put into effect, while the town’s municipal council had on Friday unanimously voted to oppose the plan.

Select Voice

Choose your listening speed

Get through articles 2x faster

1.25x

250 WPM

Slow

Average

Fast

00:0000:00

1.25x