COVID-19 test, quarantine required for all international Philippine Airlines arrivals
All Philippine Airlines arrivals passengers from abroad will be required to undergo a COVID-19 test and a subsequent strict quarantine. Philippine Airlines recently announced this in view of resuming a limited number of flights by June 1, 2020.
Here are the COVID travel requirements when departing from or arriving in Manila.
The advisory continued that these passengers need to stay in a government-designated facility while they await official results of their Polymerase Chain reaction (PCR) swab tests.
It can be recalled that a modified type of Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ) was imposed over Metro Manila, Cebu City, Laguna, and several areas of Central Luzon from May 16 to 31, 2020. The Ninoy Aquino International Airport terminals are all based in Metro Manila and thus, all flights are still suspended saved for the special sweeper and emergency flights.
The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) will shoulder the quarantine stay expenses of all arriving land-based Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). The Maritime Industry Authority or the respective local manning agencies, on the other hand, will be responsible for the cost of quarantine stay of the sea-based OFWs.
The same advisory also announced that all other PAL flight arrivals, regardless of citizenship, will be responsible for their quarantine accommodation expenses. Thus, if travelers will opt to stay in a government-certified quarantine hotel, they have to shoulder the cost of their stay, regardless if they are OFWs or not.
Once swab tests turn out to be positive for the COVID-19 virus, the travelers will be transferred to a designated hospital for further medical treatment.
On the other hand, Philippine Airlines arrivals passengers whose tests turn out to be negative can move out and undergo a 14-day quarantine at their respective homes or an appropriate local quarantine facility.
It can be recalled that Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific and AirAsia Philippines recently spelled out their “New Normal” procedures as they ramp up preparations to resume commercial operations once the ECQ or MECQ is lifted.
These airlines have all suspended operations until May 31, 2020, in keeping with travel restrictions imposed by the quarantine protocols.
Click here for additional Philippine Airlines COVID-19 Advisories. Or visit the PAL Facebook Page.
