MANILA – International visitors to the Philippines will need to undergo a COVID-19 test and subsequent quarantine, Philippine Airlines said Monday, as it looked to resume a limited number of flights on June 1.
While waiting for their swab test test results, passengers must stay either in a government-designated stringent quarantine facility or in a Bureau of Quarantine-approved hotel, PAL said.
Metro Manila, Laguna province and large parts of Central Luzon are on modified enhanced community quarantine until May 31. The 2-month old lockdown in the capital was eased for the first time on May 16.
For land-based OFWs, the cost of the stay will be shouldered by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration. The Maritime Industry Authority or the local manning agency will shoulder the cost for sea-based OFWs, PAL said.
All other travelers, regardless of nationality, will pay for the cost of quarantine accommodation, it said. Travelers who wish to stay in quarantine hotels will shoulder the cost of the stay, regardless if they are OFWs or not.
Travelers who are positive for the new coronavirus will be transferred to a designated hospital for further medical management, the airline said.
Travelers whose test results are negative will be allowed to move out and undergo a 14-day quarantine at home or at an appropriate local monitoring facility, PAL said.
Earlier this month, local airlines notified passengers of “new normal” procedures as they prepared to fly again from a 2-month stoppage due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Cebu Pacific, AirAsia and Philippine Airlines have all suspended operations until the end of May, in keeping with travel restrictions.
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