The government has given the three major airports in Manila, Clark and Cebu the go signal to increase their inbound international passenger capacity amid the coronavirus disease pandemic.
Manila is now allowed to accept an additional 3,000 inbound international passengers daily, while Cebu and Clark will both have a 1,500 daily limit for international passengers.
Also, the Office of the President announced Friday the government will allow foreign nationals with long-term visas to enter the country beginning next month as the country continues to ease air travel restrictions.
Conditions for inbound travel include securing a pre-arranged coronavirus swab test and booking with an accredited quarantine facility, where they will be housed while waiting for their test results.
This developed as flag carrier Philippine Airlines reminded arriving air travelers about the government’s mandatory quarantine and COVID-19 swab testing requirements.
In its advisory released on Saturday, PAL stated the government is implementing mandatory 14-day quarantine and testing procedures for all arriving passengers in Manila.
“We wish to remind our domestic and international passengers to check the latest travel requirements applicable to your destination city/country, as well as at your point of origin, as you prepare for your travel,” the airline said in a statement.
On Friday, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) received approval from the National Task Force (NTF) for COVID-19 to release notice to airmen (NOTAMs) relative to the new regulations at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA), and Clark International Airport (CIA).
In a letter addressed to CAAP Director General Capt. Jim C. Sydiongco, Defense Secretary and NTF chairman Delfin Lorenzana has allowed the gradual increase of daily passenger capacity restrictions at three international airports “taking into consideration the respective airports’ COVID-19 testing capacities, and subject to close and full coordination with airport authorities.”
“They are likewise subject to the maximum capacity of inbound passengers at the port and date of entry, as returning overseas Filipinos will be given priority,” Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said.
Meanwhile, the Manila International Airport Authority reminded air travelers going to South Korea that Seoul is requiring all arriving foreigners there (including transfer passengers) to present a Negative COVID-19 PCR Test Result issued within 48 hours before flight departure time.
MIAA officials said the negative result must be shown at the time of check-in at the airport and upon the time of arrival at the quarantine authority in Korea.
The test result will only be accepted if it was issued by one of the hospitals designated by the embassy, it added.
“The above measures are not related to visa issuance, so even though you have already received a visa, you have to take an additional COVID-19 PCR Test before your flight,” the MIAA stated.
New visa applications at the Korean Embassy in the Philippines will no longer be accepted “until further notice, and processing of visa applications that have already been received prior to this announcement will be stopped.”
Exceptions are for visas for diplomatic, official, seamen, spouses and children of Korean nationals, the embassy said in a statement.
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