232 Filipino crewmembers from various maritime and manning companies as well as some other Filipino nationals departed for the Philippines from Hamburg, Germany on 11 June 2020 via a chartered Condor Airlines flight. The flight arrived in the Philippines on 12 June 2020.

The seafarers had been awaiting repatriation after cruise trips were suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic starting in March. Other Filipino nationals in Germany likewise availed of the flight to return to the Philippines.

The flight was coordinated by Business Travel Hamburg in coordination with Doehle Seafront on behalf of several companies.

The passengers were assisted at the send-off by Philippine Embassy in Germany Deputy Chief of Mission and Consul General Lilibeth Pono, Welfare Officer Sylvia Gabriel, and Embassy staff members Renante Estrella, and Elvin Jay Alejandro.

The crew members expressed their hope that cruise operations would gradually be resumed by German maritime companies.

Before boarding, the passengers were provided with information on how to avail of the AKAP or Social Amelioration Fund and also the Balik Pinas, Balik Hanapbuhay Livelihood Assistance Program of OWWA. END

Filipino crewmembers and passengers check-in for the chartered flight (all photos by Berlin PE)

L-R DCM Pono, Welfare Officer Gabriel, Mr. Alejandro with representative of manning companies; Filipino passengers arrive at Hamburg International Airport

10 June 2020, Berlin – 303 Filipino crewmembers of AIDA Cruises departed for the Philippines from Hamburg, Germany on 10 June 2020 via a chartered TUI Netherlands flight. They are expected to arrive in the Philippines on 11 June 2020.

The seafarers had been awaiting repatriation after cruise trips were suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic starting in March.

The Filipino crew, part of several thousand AIDA Cruises employees of different nationalities, were assisted at the send-off by Philippine Ambassador to Germany Theresa Dizon-De Vega, Labor Attaché Delmer Cruz, and Philippine Embassy staff members Arneil Sergio and Vieto Pilapil.

The crew members expressed their hope that cruise operations would gradually be resumed by German maritime companies.

Before boarding, The Filipino crew were provided with information on how to avail of the AKAP or Social Amelioration Fund and also the Balik Pinas, Balik Hanapbuhay Livelihood Assistance Program of OWWA. END

Filipino crewmembers check-in for the chartered flight (all photos by Berlin PE)

Top left and right Amb. Dizon-De Vega confers with AIDA Cruises Head of Operations Control Marco Merius on the repatriation procedures; Labor Attaché Delmer Cruz provides information on the AKAP and Livelihood Programs; Bottom: Crew members arrive at Hamburg International Airport from the Hamburg Port Cruise Center

Distance marker at the entrance of the Consular Section

27 May 2020 – To ensure the safety of its consular clients, the Philippine Embassy has implemented a set of measures to facilitate social distancing in its premises and help prevent the spread of CoViD-19.

These physical measures include distance markers, a hand disinfection station, and the regular cleaning of high-touch areas, such as door knobs and toilet facilities. Clients’ companions are also requested not to accompany clients (except PWDs, children, pregnant women, and the elderly) to avoid overcrowding. A video on the new measures is available for viewing on the Embassy’s official Facebook page.

Glass barriers at the counter manned by masked-wearing Embassy personnel

Both staff members and clients are required to wear facemasks while at the Embassy.

In terms of procedures, the Embassy created an online appointment system for:

• passport;

• travel document;

• NBI clearance; and

• notarization services;

to maintain social distancing, as well as facilitate contact-tracing, if it becomes necessary. The appointment system can be accessed through our website, www.philippine-embassy.de.

Civil registry (Reports of Birth, Marriage, and Death) and document authentication services can also be done by mail.

For detailed information on the modified consular operations, please visit the Embassy’s website, www.philippine-embassy.de. Announcements are also posted regularly on the Embassy’s official Facebook page and Instagram account with the handle, @PHinGermany.

Top photo : Social Distancing in the Embassy aided by distance markers on the floor, seats, and walls. Bottom right photo: Distance markers for the waiting area.