By Armando Fenequito Jr.
DAVAO CITY -- The city government here is now coordinating with the management of the Davao International Airport for the installation of health screening stations to prepare for the arrival of commercial flight passengers here.
Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte
(NTF against COVID-19 / MANILA BULLETIN)
This was bared by Mayor Sara Duterte in an interview aired over 87.5 Davao City Disaster Radio.
Duterte said the city had a discussion with airport management on Monday if the Department of Transportation (DOTr) has already given them the health protocols to follow so that they can screen arriving passengers in line with its fight against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
The mayor said the city was willing put up the screening facility in the airport to check arriving passengers for symptoms of COVID-19.
“Giingnan nako sila kung pwede ba mi mo sulod diha, kami mag health screening for commercial flights, tabangan lang mi niyo og set up (I told them if the city government can go inside the airport, we will be the one to conduct the health screenings for commercial flights and just help us to set up),” she said.
Duterte said this preparation will not be only during the general community quarantine (GCQ), but also for the coming of the new normal in the city.
Meanwhile, Duterte reminded the public that movement going in and out of the city will still be strictly for essential purposes and not for visits, leisure or entertainment.
“Sa GCQ, allowed na na siya, mosulod ug gawas sa isa ka lugar, except lang kung for leisure, amusement or entertainment, meaning kung mosuroy lang ka, dili na siya pwede (In GCQ, entry and exit are allowed except if it’s only for leisure, amusement, or entertainment, meaning if you only want to visit, it’s not allowed),” she said.
The mayor also clarified there was no need to present a travel pass, confirmation pass, letter of acceptance, travel authority, among others, upon entering areas under GCQ.
She said if an area would still require a pass, the mayor said, the incoming persons can just present a printed copy of the IATF Omnibus Guidelines regarding travels under GCQ.
Information on entry and exit in Davao and travel guidelines based on the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) Omnibus Guidelines can be accessed on the Davao City government Facebook page.
The guidelines also state that all incoming individuals will still be subject to health screening upon arrival.
Travelers will be assessed whether they will be sent to the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) for real time -polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing and any of the Quarantine Facilities or proceed to 14-day mandatory home quarantine.