Despite the challenges brought by the ongoing pandemic especially on air travel, this city has received a total of 3,842 repatriated overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from various countries since July, an official from the city government said Monday.

In an interview, Generose Tecson, city tourism office chief and airport monitoring head, told the Philippine News Agency that of the total number of OFWs, 52 tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) but have recovered from the virus.

“We no longer have passengers left in our isolation hotels. They are all sent home already,” she added.

As to schedules of more repatriation flights, Tecson said they are still waiting for notifications from the One-Stop-Shop in Manila and the airline companies.

“We did not halt the acceptance of flights,” she said, adding that there is an ongoing challenge in getting permits for repatriation flights in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Tecson also clarified that safety measures at the airport remain the same.

During their arrival, the OFWs will have to enter a “bubble quarantine” to ensure their family’s safety against Covid-19.

Under Davao’s “bubble wrap”, all arriving passengers will be brought to their isolation hotels where they will undergo swab tests for Covid-19 and be locked in for 14 days.

The One-Stop-Shop was also set up at the Davao International Airport (DIA) to screen, identify, and isolate arriving international passengers to prevent and minimize the spread of Covid-19 and to facilitate and manage the arrival of returning Filipinos. (PNA)