CLARK FREEPORT -- The Luzon International Premier Airport Development (Lipad) has assured that the temporary travel ban of passengers from China and its administrative regions will be properly implemented at the Clark International Airport which is now on full alert against the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-NCoV).
On Sunday, President Rodrigo Duterte issued a directive coursed through Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea calling for the temporary travel ban of flights coming from China and its special administrative regions, namely, Hong Kong and Macau.
In response to this, Lipad Corporation, the private operator of Clark International Airport, immediately called for an emergency meeting with the Bureau of Immigrations, Bureau of Quarantine, Bureau of Customs, airline representatives and other concerned agencies to ensure proper implementation of the said travel ban.
Following the guidelines set in the directive, the Bureau of Immigration shall enforce the following:
1. Temporarily banning the entry of any person, regardless of nationality, except Filipino citizens and holders of Permanent Resident Visa issued by the Philippine Government, directly coming from China and its Special Administrative Regions;
2. Temporarily banning the entry of any person, regardless of nationality, except Filipino citizens and holders of Permanent Resident Visa issued by the Philippine Government, who within fourteen (14) days immediately preceding arrival in the Philippines, has been to China and its Special Administrative Regions;
3. Temporary ban on Filipinos from travel to China and its Special Administrative Regions.
The Bureau of Quarantine, on the other hand, is strictly monitoring passengers arriving from international flights with their thermal scanners. Yellow cards or health declaration cards are also being distributed to all arriving passengers.
Inside Clark International Airport, the following efforts have been implemented:
1. Isolation room - with the help of the provincial government of Pampanga and the Clark Development Corporation authorities, an isolation room have been setup for the processing of passengers who will need further health screening. Bureau of Quarantine personnel, airport medical personnel and an ambulance is on standby at all times in case transfer to J.B. Lingad Hospital will be needed.
2. Public announcements regarding precautionary measures – information on precautionary measures such as the washing of hands, use of alcohol and wearing of facemasks in crowded areas are being broadcast in the airport’s public announcement system, through posters and banners around the airport, on airport’s official Facebook page and by disseminating email communication to airport personnel.
3. Sanitation campaign – the airport management ensures that there are adequate supply of hand soap and alcohol inside the toilets, and on the counters. Airport employees are encouraged to wear face masks and gloves to avoid contamination.
Following the travel ban, the following airlines already cancelled flights from the affected destinations:
China Eastern - SHANGHAI: February 5 to March 29
Xiamen Air - QUANGZHOU: February 3 to February 29
Cebu Pacific Air - HONG KONG: February 2 to March 29; MACAU: February 2 to March 29; CANTON February 3 to March 27; SINGAPORE: February 4, 6, 9, 11, 13, 16, 18, 20, Mar 2, 4, 6, 9, 11, 13, 16, 18, 20, 23, 25, 27; SHENZHEN: January 31 – until further notice.
Passengers or those who are with relatives and friends affected by the said flights are urged to coordinate with your respective airlines for the next course of action.
Passengers experiencing the following symptoms: cough, runny nose, headache, sore throat, and/or fever are encouraged to seek medical advice from the Bureau of Quarantine personnel upon disembarkation.