ALL flights to and from the country were suspended for a week starting Sunday morning in a bid to decongest quarantine facilities and slow down the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the country, National Task Force (NTF) Against COVID-19 chief implementer Carlito Galvez Jr. said on Sunday.
Galvez said the restriction, which will be implemented “to give the government the opportunity to decongest the quarantine facilities in Metro Manila,” shall cover flight operations at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Manila and all other international airports in the country.
Exempted from the restrictions are those under emergencies while en route to their destinations, cargo flights, air ambulance and medical supplies flights; weather mitigation flights, maintenance flights, and sweeper flights for foreign nationals who will be repatriated to their respective countries.
Galvez said while all domestic air arrivals and departures at the NAIA is suspended, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) is allowed to grant exemptions to some international flights that wish to land and depart in the country’s airports, provided that they make a request at least 36 hours before the scheduled departure from their place of origin.
“This decision is meant to decongest our quarantine facilities to protect our people by preventing the further spread of COVID-19 and also ensure that our overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are well taken care of when they arrive from abroad. As of today, there are already approximately 20,000 OFWs undergoing mandatory quarantine in Metro Manila,” he said.
CANCELLED FLIGHTS
Because of the restriction, the Philippine Airlines (PAL) canceled two special passenger flights from the US to Manila scheduled this week, according to spokesperson Cielo Villaluna.
PAL canceled 11 Manila-bound flights from New York (PR 5127) which are scheduled to leave the United States on May 4, 6, 8, 9 and 10; and from Los Angeles (PR 5103) scheduled for departures on May 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10.
Villaluna said those previously booked in any of the canceled flights will be re-booked to special flights that will operate after the airport closure period. All such flights are subject to government approvals, she said.
The flights were to carry Filipinos as well as Philippine passport holders, their foreign spouses and children, and accredited officials of foreign governments and international organizations.
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) over the weekend released public transport protocols/guidelines set by the DOTr on the operation of road transport, aviation, maritime and railways sectors on areas under GCQ.
Social distancing measures shall be strictly observed inside ports, ships and other passenger vessels, which will be allowed to operate only under a 50 percent capacity.
In port facilities, particularly areas for frontline services such as passenger terminal buildings, port integrated clearing offices and other areas, physical distancing shall be observed.
For road transportation, the DOTr said the passenger load for public utility buses and public utility jeepneys (PUJs) should not exceed 50 percent or half of the vehicle’s capacity, excluding driver and conductor.
Only public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers with special permit from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) will be allowed to operate in areas under GCQ. Drivers and operators may apply for the permit, free of charge, through LTFRB offices or by email through LTFRB’s online channels.
For UV Express and taxis, passenger load should not exceed two passengers per row, except for the driver’s row where only one passenger is allowed.
Tricycles must not exceed one passenger. Back-riding is not allowed.
Private cars and motorcycles will be allowed to operate for the purpose of essential travels as defined by the IATF.
The use of bicycles and similar devices is also highly encouraged, and local government units (LGUs) are encouraged to identify bike lanes, or bike-only roads.
The DOTr said PUVs with higher passenger capacity such as buses will be prioritized consistent with Department Order No. 2017-011.
In areas where buses are not enough to serve the actual passenger demand, or the road characteristics will not permit their operations, modern PUVs (those with bigger configurations are the next priority. In areas with unavailable buses and modern PUVs, PUJs and UV Express may operate.
In areas where no other mode of public transportation is available, tricycles may be permitted to operate as determined by the LTFRB in coordination with the corresponding LGU.
The Light Rail Transit line 1, LRT-2, Metro Rail Transit line 3 (MRT-3) and Philippine National Railways (PNR) will resume their operations with limited capacity after the lifting of the ECQ imposed in Metro Manila.
Upon the resumption of operations, all rail lines will observe the March 14, 2020 DOTr guidelines on community quarantine, as well as additional health and safety measures pursuant to IATF and Department of Health guidelines.
Social distancing should be strictly observed inside the trains and stations. Presence of markings, signage, tarpaulins and other logistics will be utilized to ensure its firm implementation.
Pursuant to DOH guidelines, the following passengers will not be allowed to enter the station: passengers who are not wearing proper face mask; passengers showing COVID-19 symptoms or with a registered body temperature of 37.8°C or higher; and senior citizens, passengers aged zero to 20 and pregnant women due to their susceptibility to COVID-19. — With Noel Talacay and Myla Iglesias
