Families may view peacekeepers via live stream

MANILA, Philippines - Families of returning Filipino peacekeepers from Ebola-affected countries may view them through live streaming, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) announced on Tuesday.

Contrary to AFP's earlier announcement that families may see and wave to the soldiers upon arriving at the Villamor Air Base, they will stay inside the Air Force Museum instead and view them via live streaming.

A 15-meter buffer zone is set for the peacekeepers as the World Health Organization medical protocol strictly provides that no form of physical contact must be made with persons from Ebola-affected countries.

The peacekeepers will arrive on Wednesday and will stay in air-conditioned igloos in Caballo Island for 21 days.

According to AFP public affairs office chief Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc, the soldiers will be transported via bus to Sangley Point, Cavite where a Navy ship awaits to transfer them to the quarantine island.

The buses and ship will be decontaminated using a mixture of chlorine and hot water after transporting the soldiers.

The quarantined peacekeepers are allowed to interact with each other but not with the personnel guarding the facility.

A number of 112 Filipino peacekeepers from Liberia earlier tested negative for Ebola virus disease but will still undergo a 21-day quarantine upon arriving in the country as safety procedures.