DAVAO CITY, Philippines – The Civil Aviation Authority has issued an advisory last July 16 requiring persons flying in to Davao to present their RT-PCR test results that they are coronavirus (Covid-19) free and safe to travel.
This advisory came after the City Government of Davao made a request as early as May 30 to have this procedure as advised by the Department of Health Region 11 bureau on infectious disease.
Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio explained on her radio program that such measure is needed to protect residents of Davao and neighboring provinces from surging cases of Covid-19 brought about by the entry of overseas workers and Davao region residents coming home after being stranded during the months of the lockdown.
The City Health Office reported that of the cases of Covid-19 infections recorded from July 5 to 13, 42 are people who traveled from Manila to Davao City.
The recent report from the Department of Health-Region 11 reported 34 new cases, bringing the total confirmed cases to 912, with 20 of which are locally stranded individuals and four returning overseas Filipinos.
Duterte-Carpio said closing down the airport and canceling flights is an option but did not consider it. Davao City has been one of the destinations for travel and business.
“There is a choice to close the airport to avoid entry and control the increasing cases, but we do not want that there will be no flights coming in and out of the Davao International Airport,” the mayor said.
CAAP Deputy Director-General for Operations Captain Donaldo Mendoza also said this measure is to ensure the health and safety of the public are not compromised when boarding flights.
The City Government of Davao said they will not accept rapid test results where its accuracy to detect the virus has been questionable.
In case when passengers arrived at the airport without the negative PCR result, the City Government has issued they will be on hold and undergo the RCT-PR test to determine if they can proceed to their destination, or be held in quarantine if they tested positive.(davaotoday.com)
