AIRPORT and overseas employment officials are still on heightened alert against the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS).
The GMR-Megawide Cebu Airport Corp. (GMCAC) continues to exercise caution in airport procedures for arriving passengers from international flights.
“Everyone is required to complete a health card upon landing and they are processed at the health counters in the immigration area of the (Mactan Cebu International Airport),” said GMCAC corporate communications junior manager Malou Mozo.
But GMCAC doesn't just rely on passengers to declare MERS symptoms and other diseases in the health card, as Bureau of Quarantine National Director Emmanuel Labella said that the airport continues to implement thermal screening on arriving passengers.
“We have not yet lifted the alert order on MERS (so it will continue),” said Labella.
On the other hand, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) said they are extra cautious in allowing overseas foreign workers to depart to countries like South Korea.
“We will coordinate with the proper authorities on the matter,” said POEA 7 Director Evelia Durato.
As of yesterday, six people were confirmed dead in South Korea due to MERS.
There were also 23 new cases reported, bringing the total to 87 since May 20 when the virus was first reported in the country.
Over 2,300 South Koreans have been quarantined.