As Duterte Shuts Down Garcia Directive
28 May 2021
MALACAÑANG has issued a memorandum ordering all international flights bound for Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIA) to be diverted to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) starting on May 29 until June 5.
The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) recommended the diversion of flights, according to a memorandum issued by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea dated May 27.
According to the memorandum, the Department of Transportation and the Manila International Airport Authority shall ensure smooth diversion of inbound flights.
The memorandum also stated that heads of departments and local government units must enforce the IATF-EID's current testing and quarantine protocols for inbound international travelers "regardless of any specific protocols that may be issued by local government units (LGUs) to the contrary."
"Heads of departments shall ensure that all offices and instrumentalities under or attached to their departments abide by this directive, while the Department of Interior and Local Government shall enforce compliance with respect to LGUs," the memorandum also stated.
Malacañang issued the memorandum after Cebu Governor Gwendolyn "Gwen" Garcia issued an order to test all arriving passengers, including returning overseas Filipino workers for Covid-19 upon their arrival to the MCIA, contrary to the protocol set by the IATF-EID which says testing should be done seven days after the date of arrival.
According to Garcia's order, Filipinos will no longer be required to undergo quarantine for 14 days upon arrival in Cebu Province if they test negative for Covid-19.
This also contradicts current IATF-EID's protocol which mandated travelers to stay in a government approved quarantine facility for 10 days even after testing negative before they can be discharged so they can move to their hometowns or hotels to complete the required 14-day quarantine. (Manila Times)
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