BI: Number of international travelers dropped by 95% since COVID-19 lockdown

The number of international passengers who entered and exited the country since the COVID-19 lockdown started in March decreased by at least 95% from figures in the same time last year, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said Wednesday. 

BI Commissioner Jaime Morente said international arrivals declined by more than 96% and departures by 95% from March 16 to June 30 because of flight suspensions and travel restrictions brought on by the pandemic. 

Only 189,000 passengers arrived in the country and 238,000 left during this period, compared to 5.16 million arrivals and 5.18 million departures in the same time last year, the bureau said. 

"We do not foresee these statistics to rise in the near future while the entire world is still fighting to defeat this coronavirus," Morente said in a statement. 

Melvin Mabulac, the bureau's deputy spokesperson, said the bulk of passengers entered and exited the country through the Ninoy Aquino International Airport because all other international gateways were closed during the lockdown. 

He said the government only allowed international flights to resume at the Clark and Mactan airports in June. 

Mabulac said the number of arrivals include the more than 16,000 seafarers who disembarked after being quarantined in ships anchored at the Manila Bay. —Nicole-Anne C. Lagrimas/KG, GMA News