The head of the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) has appealed to departing passengers not to take chances getting on to their flights “if their RT-PCR results state that they are positive for the Covid-19 virus.”
MIAA chief Ed Monreal issued the appeal so as not to adversely affect other passengers leaving via the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia).
Airport records revealed that as of April 15, 2021, a total of 138 individuals, majority of whom are passengers bound for different foreign and domestic destinations, were stopped from boarding their flights.
Monreal said the passengers were held at the airport after they just learned about their test result when they were already at the Naia.
Some passengers reasoned that they did not bother to look at their test results, while the rest claimed their recruitment agencies instructed them “to proceed to Naia and wait for the results there.”
Monreal said some passengers got their results from a syndicate whom they paid P3,000 “only to be told by the airline employees that their certifications are fake.”
The airport headman expressed his deep concern “over this utter disregard for safety guidelines.”
“Let us not take chances. The airport security and airline staff will always check if passengers have the necessary requirements,” Monreal said.
Airline operators backed Monreal’s call for responsible travel, aware that some passengers with pressing need to leave “would try to subvert the law.”
However, amid these challenges, Monreal assured the public that airport authorities would try their best to implement measures to protect passengers from virus infection.
He added that disinfection of the terminal facilities is being done without let up, “and safety protocols are strictly being followed.” The airport manager reminded passengers to follow the law “and always wear face mask and and observe social distancing when entering the terminal premises.”
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