By Dhel Nazario, Martin Sadongdong, and Ariel Fernandez
Starting Sunday, all passenger flights to and from the country have been suspended by the National Taskforce Against COVID-19 to help further mitigate the spread of the deadly COVID-19, as ordered Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., chief implementer of the National Taskforce Against COVID-19.
According to the Omnibus Public Transport Protocols/Guidelines set by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID), thee following flights are allowed to operate for areas under GCQ:
Government and military flights; International flights subject to existing IATF-EID/BOQ protocols; Air ambulance and medical supplies; Flight check and weather mitigation flights; Maintenance and utility flights; Emergency flights; domestic flights coming to and from provinces and cities under GCQ, subject to required airport clearances and flight plan approvals, as maybe applicable; and
other flights ( as approved by IATF-EID).
The DOTr reminded that wearing of face mask, face shield, or other Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), is compulsory for all individuals. Passengers with valid travel documents shall be allowed to enter airport premises. Checking of body temperature is mandatory upon entry. Social distancing measures shall be strictly observed inside airport premises.
Also, security procedures shall be done through "no contact means" but not limited to the use of walk through x-ray machines, portable scanners, handheld metal detectors, among others, effectively limiting close contact security screening by means of pat down/manual frisking to exceptional instances/situations.
The regulation covering the maximum allowable hand carried bags/items shall be strictly implemented. COVID-19 Rapid Testing facilities installed at all airports are managed by qualified healthcare providers.
The guidelines also said that disinfecting facilities established in terminals shall be equipped with alcohol and/or soap. Foot baths shall also be installed in all entry and exit points of passengers and airport personnel, including boarding bridges and/or similar areas for passenger embarkation/disembarkation to and from the aircraft.
All airport facilities and equipment, including lavatories, frequently touched surfaces, wheelchairs, trolleys, countertops, etc., shall be regularly disinfected and sanitized.
Safety precaution posters and other health guidelines shall be displayed at strategic places. Alert bulletins shall be shown through airport flight information display systems, and via public announcements.
Digital enablers (websites/Mob Apps/On-ground Kiosk) and communication, as well as education programs through social media, shall be utilized to inform and engage with passengers.
All arriving and departing passengers are required to electronically fill-out Health Declaration and Passenger Locator Forms.