PAL reminds passengers of int'l, domestic travel requirements

Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) on Saturday reminded domestic and international passengers about the latest travel requirements applicable to their respective destinations, as well as at their points of origin.

In a Facebook post, PAL listed the new travel regulations although it noted that changes may arise from time to time.

Below are the travel requirements that took effect recently:

Travel to Davao (Domestic Travel)

• Passengers traveling to Davao City are required to submit a negative COVID-19 RT-PCT test result, issued within 48 hours from date of departure, before they could be allowed to board their flight bound for Davao.
• This new requirement from the Davao City local government takes effect on July 20, 2020.

Travel to Duba (International flights from the Philippines)

• Dubai authorities now require travelers to obtain a COVID-19 negative certificate (PCR test results) no more than 96 hours before departure.
• Presenting the COVID negative certificate is a prerequisite for boarding a flight bound for Dubai. This new requirement is already in effect.

Travel to the Philippines (International flights from other countries)

Only the following are allowed to travel to the Philippines at present:

• Filipino citizens, including their spouses and children who may be foreign citizens (If the foreign citizen spouse is traveling alone, proof of marriage must be presented)
• Foreign diplomats and officials of international organizations accredited to the Philippines
• Uniformed personnel for official business, especially those transporting medical supplies, laboratory specimens, related to COVID-19, and other humanitarian assistance.

PAL noted that the Philippine government's rules are expected to be revised on August 1, 2020 to allow some foreign citizens to enter under certain conditions.

Likewise, the airline said the Philippine government is implementing mandatory quarantine and testing procedures for all arriving passengers, such as:

• Upon arrival, all passengers will undergo a swab test (RT PCR COVID-19 test) to be performed by trained government personnel.
• While awaiting test results, passengers must stay either in a government-designated mandatory quarantine facility or in an accredited quarantine hotel.
• Payment for accommodation in a government-designated quarantine facility shall be shouldered by the traveler, except that the cost for Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) shall be shouldered by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (for land-based OFWs) and by MARINA or the local manning agency (for sea-based OFWs).
• Travelers whose test results are negative will be allowed to go home.
• Travelers with positive test results will be transferred to a designated hospital for further medical management.

"For more details and information on these new requirements and related concerns, you may call the government's One Stop Shop hotline number +63 9161019964," PAL said.

The airline reminded international travelers to check the government website of their respective destination country, as well as their country of departure, for the latest updates.

"These governmental regulations may have an impact on the status of your flight or your acceptance for boarding," PAL said. —LBG, GMA News