Tugade directs airports, seaports to implement measures vs. nCoV threat

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade on Thursday directed authorities in charge of the country’s airports and seaports to exercise vigilance and take necessary measures amid the threat of a new strain of coronavirus entering the Philippines.

“Please adopt all measures necessary and expedient to address the issue on coronavirus, considering world developments and the influx of passengers expected this Lunar New Year,” Tugade said in his directives to heads of aviation and maritime sectors.

In adherence to the order, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) Director General Jim Sydiongco said that the agency is continuously coordinating with the Department of Health (DOH) and the Bureau of Quarantine to support efforts to secure airports from the coronavirus and closely monitor arriving passengers—especially at the Kalibo International Airport, which has direct flights from Wuhan, China.

Sydiongco said that Royal Air, one of the airlines that operate direct flights between Kalibo and Wuhan, has manifested its intention to suspend its Wuhan flights until the 2019 novel coronavirus has been contained and managed.

CAAP has reactivated its communicable disease preparedness procedures on all CAAP-operated airports, especially in international gateways such as Puerto Princesa, General Santos, Zamboanga, Davao, Kalibo, Laoag, and Iloilo.

Airport personnel were also advised to exercise extreme vigilance in handling passenger arrivals to strictly monitor those who are possibly infected by the virus.

In addition, the posting of public advisories informing the public about coronavirus infections and the strict monitoring of suspected passengers are also being enforced.

Likewise, Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) General Manager Ed Monreal said the agency is in full coordination with the Bureau of Quarantine in support of its safety protocols.

In the Maritime sector, directives have been given out to all ports operated by the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) to coordinate with quarantine office and implement strict passenger screening at arrival areas, according to PPA General Manager Jay Santiago.

Santiago said that stringent security measures are also in place, especially in areas frequently visited by tourists, such as Bohol and Caticlan in Aklan.

The Philippine Coast Guard has also advised all medical units in its 13 Coast Guard Districts to be on high alert to prevent the possible spread of the coronavirus.

Strict passenger screening and safety measures are also in place on the country’s land terminals and railway networks to prevent the entry and spread of the virus.

“As we implement preventive measures and stringent monitoring of passengers in our transportation hubs nationwide, we implore the public to cooperate with the authority and also be vigilant in their travels at all times,” Tugade said. — BM, GMA News