CORONAVIRUS: KUWAIT OFW QUARANTINE DAY #92 – The OASIS for the Repatriated OFWs

June 11, 2020

“The return is one of the hardest shots to make when you come back from injury.”

Lindsay Davenport

The COVID-19 pandemic affected millions of lives worldwide. It also includes those individuals who only wish to return to their home country. Because of the coronavirus, it became difficult. However, the authorities will not back down to its fight in helping our fellow OFWs in returning to their homes. With that, the OASIS for the OFWs is formed.

In Kuwait, the Ministry of Health registered 609 new COVID-19 cases with four additional deaths and 849 recoveries. It brings to a total tally of 34,432 cases with 279 fatalities and 24,137 recovered cases. Within the new cases, 264 are Kuwait citizens, 106 are Indian residents, 58 are Egyptian residents, and 44 are Bangladeshi residents. In the governorates,  there are 249 cases in Al Farwaniya, 129 in Al Ahmadi, 101 in Al Jahra, 81 in Hawally, and 49 in the Capital. Among the residential areas, Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh is the highest with 44 cases. Currently, there are10,016 patients who are undergoing treatment as it decreased from 10,260 patients. Compared to yesterday’s report, the new number of cases decreased.

The Situation of Central Prison in Kuwait

The Ministry of Interior reported that coronavirus disease infected 268 inmates from the Central prison of Kuwait. However, 225 of them have fully recovered while the rest are still undergoing treatment and isolation under the care of health authorities. It is a good thing that the majority of them recovered from the infection. The identification of these infected inmates is thanks to the Interior Ministry’s efforts in coordination with the Health Ministry as they conducted COVID-19 medical tests such as the smear test. It is for maintaining the health of inmates in the central prison.

It is a good thing that many of these inmates have recovered. It is essential to ensure the safety of these inmates inside these correctional facilities for their movements is highly restricted. Therefore, the government prevents or reduces the spread of coronavirus within the place by proper implementation of appropriate techniques.

A Meeting for Reoperation of Commercial Flights

The Higher Committee conducted their meeting for the gradual reoperation of flights at Kuwait International Airport. It aims to resume the services of commercial aviation systematically. According to the Chief of General Administration of Kuwaiti Civil Aviation Sheikh Salman Al-Hmoud Al-Sabah, relevant authorities submitted their proposals for the gradual resumption of flights. The committee accepted the recommendations. 

Moreover, he said that the committee’s tasks include the adoption of the plan under the international law imposed by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and other concerned international organizations. With this, the committee will oversee the implementation of the resumption of flights, as the authorities will adopt security measures internationally and locally.

COVID-19 Situation in Kuwait

As a celebration of the reopening of the Grand Mosques in Kuwait, Al-Islah and other societies decided to slaughter 100 sheep. The societies will further distribute the accumulated meat as their charity for the poor and needy people. It is good to know that these organizations shared their joy of celebration, especially during this coronavirus health crisis. They helped many people much by distributing food to the local communities.

The Kuwait government continues to send many residents of different nationalities back to their homes amid the coronavirus pandemic. Their one’s safety is ensured as they return to their respective countries. For that, a group of Ethiopians expressed their gratitude to the Kuwait government for their return. With them, I will also thank the authorities for sending my fellow Kabayans back to the Philippines.

The authorities conducted the distribution of food supply in Jleeb Al-Shuyouk. The video shows a long queue of individuals as they wait to receive their share. I commend the authorities for their unceasing distribution to the citizens and residents every day. However, they must also give attention to regulating these distributions to avoid further spread of coronavirus. Health precautionary measures should be imposed on the activity. 

Speaking of precautionary health measures, I am amazed by the innovative idea of the Al Seef hospital. The video shows the glass divisions between the chairs of the establishment.  In public places like these, the glass divisions will provide security to its customers and personnel, ensuring that transmission of coronavirus is lowered.

Today marks the 79^th day of the curfew and the 12^th day of the government’s first-phase plan. I commend the fruitful efforts and works of the Kuwait authorities in ensuring the safety of its citizens and residents in the country. We can soon end the pandemic in the country through their innovative ideas and proper implementation of precautionary measures. 

OFW Assistance Information System of DOLE

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced 40 new COVID-19 cases of Overseas Filipinos abroad with eight additional deaths and 20 recoveries. It brings to a total record of 5,469 cases with 390 fatalities and 20 recovered cases. Based on the data figures, the Middle East has the highest number of COVID-19 cases at 3,385 cases, with 1,867 Filipino COVID-19 patients undergoing treatment. On the other hand, America has the most top record of deaths at 155 cases.

 Among the stranded Filipinos overseas, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin, Jr. reported that a 28-year-old Filipina conducted suicide onboard a cruise ship. Because the repatriation flights back to the Philippines were suspended, Mariah Jocson took her life inside her cabin in the cruise ship named Harmony of the Seas, where she stayed.

She is currently the second suicide case among the Filipinos abroad since the start of the COVID-19 outbreak. Foreign Affairs Secretary Locsin affirmed that this incident reminded everyone that Filipino resilience is not an excuse to stretch these people beyond their breaking point.

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) officially introduced an innovative tracking system to trace all the Overseas Filipino Workers whom the government repatriated. Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III affirmed that they named it the OFW Assistance Information System (OASIS). It aims to facilitate the smooth process of OFW repatriation to accommodate more Filipino workers adequately.

He said that they named it Oasis as a symbolization of hope in the desert of trials. It seeks to give the OFWs a ray of hope that the Philippine government can help them ease their burden and anxieties as we undergo the coronavirus crisis.

The identification and classification of the arriving Filipino workers are made easier as they undergo the process of airport arrival, swab testing, and transport of the individuals to their respective homes and hotels. For the Filipino workers to access the system, they must register their details online through the link oasis.owwa.gov.ph

 After logging into the site, they must click “Register” and fill out the form with their valid details. Then, they should give appropriately read the form, understand its contents, and give their consent to process their data by checking the box. 

The OFWs will receive an email notifying them of their successful registration to the OASIS. They should fill out the forms appropriately to ensure the effectiveness of the tracking system. With this, the Philippine government will be able to determine and immediately provide support to the returning OFWs, guaranteeing the safety of their repatriation

The online platform will prove helpful to our returning OFWs. I will express my gratitude for the great improvements conducted by the government and its concerned authorities. For that, I hope the safe return of the incoming repatriated Kabayans.

 “Malaya nga kayo, pero hindi ito nangangahulugang malaya na kayong gumawa ng masama, kundi mamuhay kayo bilang mga alipin ng Dios.”

1 Pedro‬ ‭2:16‬ ‭ASND‬‬‬‬‬‬

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A multi-award-winning blogger and advocate for OFWs and investment literacy; recipient of the Mass Media Advocacy Award, Philippine Expat Blog Award, and Most Outstanding Balikbayan Award. Her first book, The Global Filipino Bloggers OFW Edition, was launched at the Philippine Embassy in Kuwait. A certified Registered Financial Planner of the Philippines specializing in the Stock Market. A recognized author of the National Book Development Board of the Philippines. Co-founder of Teachers Specialist Organization in Kuwait (TSOK) and Filipino Bloggers in Kuwait (FBK). An international member of writing and poetry. Published more than 10 books.  Read more: About DiaryNiGracia