As a precautionary measure against the COVID-19 pandemic, airplane passengers will need to present additional documents such as health certificates and travel passes at the airport after the government allowed domestic flights on Thursday.
According to Ian Cruz on GMA News “24 Oras,” passengers need to present a travel pass from the Philippine National Police and a medical certificate from the local government before boarding the plane.
Upon entering the terminal, passengers will undergo thermal scanning and disinfection. Physical distancing is also implemented, and the passenger has to wear a face mask at all times.
Passenger Welhelmshaven Pantorilla said it took him two weeks to process his travel permit and medical certificate.
“Two weeks po or aabot ng three weeks ‘yong pagkuha po ng medical certificate at tsaka travel authority po. ‘Yong pila din po napakahirap din po kasi ‘yong city hall ng Pasig malayo sa PNP station so kailangan maglakad ng two hours kasi wala pong public transportation,” he explained.
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(It would take two to three weeks to get a medical certificate and a travel authority. This is also very difficult because Pasig city hall is far from PNP station, so I had to walk for two hours since there is no public transportation.)
The cabin crew on the plane are wearing personal protective equipment.
In addition to travel passes and medical certificates, travelers should also sign health declaration and passenger locator forms.
Such documents must also be presented to the destination area, as well as the acceptance pass from the LGUs.
Cebu Pacific encourages passengers to check-in online or use a kiosk inside the terminal for contactless transactions.
Philippine Airlines and AirAsia are expected to resume flights again on Friday.
Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade earlier said flights should have approval from concerned local government units (LGUs).
According to DOTr Assistant Secretary for Planning and Project Development Giovanni Lopez, some LGUs are refusing to accept domestic flights. It was the same reason why thousands of repatriated overseas Filipino workers got stranded in Metro Manila.
As a result, Lopez said the DOTr and National Task Force against COVID-19 decided to allow domestic flights only in areas with the approval of local governments in the meantime.