14 January 2022
The Transport Department (DOTr) issued a mandate to allow public transportation access only to fully vaccinated individuals beginning 17 January.
Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade issued Department Order No. 2022-001 dated January 11, 2022, requiring all common carriers, including airlines, to transport vaccinated passengers only.
DOTr said vaccination status can be proven by either physical or digital copies of local government unit-issued vaccine card, Department of Health-issued vaccine certification, or any Inter-Agency Task Force-prescribed document with valid government-issued ID with picture and address.
In a statement, the local carriers said they support the mandate of DOTr in order to save lives of both the vaccinated and unvaccinated passengers.
“We laud the DOTr’s initiative to help the Filipino public embark on essential travels during the current crisis,” PAL president and chief operating officer Gilbert Santa Maria said in a statement.
“We assure the public that PAL will do our part to uphold the strictest safety standards and health protocols in our continuing operation of our domestic and international flight network,” Santa Maria added.
PAL international and domestic operations has been hit badly by covid19 infections affecting airport, ground and air crews alike, prompting them to suspend some routes due to operational deficiencies.
Meanwhile, AirAsia Philippines said
that No vaccine, No travel policy of the government is “an effective
tool to encourage every Filipino to take the shot, and get an added
layer of protection against any emerging COVID-19 variant,” according to
CEO Ricky Isla.
“From
the onset of the pandemic, AirAsia has always been working closely with
the IATF, DOTr and its attached agencies along with medical experts in
the implementation of multi-layered approaches to safety in the aviation
sector,” he said.
Cebu Pacific on the other hand disclosed that it will offer its passengers affected by the “No Vaccination, No Ride” flexible options as the airline complies with and supports the government’s order to limit public transportation access to vaccinated individuals.
“Cebu Pacific will comply with the latest government order which aims to protect the majority... Cebu Pacific is committed to getting you on your way as soon as the times become safer for most of us,” said Candice Iyog, Vice President for Marketing & Customer Experience at Cebu Pacific.
Cebu Pacific was likewise hit by escalating infections of its airport, ground and flight crews resulting to their isolation from work, thus affecting operational requirements of most of its domestic network leading to cancellation of flights.
Starting January 17, Monday, all domestic airlines, operating scheduled or non-scheduled commercial services to and from NCR, are required to only provide air transportation services to and from NCR to fully vaccinated persons, unless exempted, such as the following:
a) Persons with medical conditions that prevent their full COVID-19 vaccination as shown by a duly-signed medical certificate with the name and contact details of their doctor;
b) Persons who will buy essential goods and services, such as but not limited to food, water, medicine, medical devices, public utilities, energy, work, and medical and dental necessities, as shown by a duly issued barangay health pass or other proof to justify travel
Airlines said non-vaccinated guests with essential purpose of travel from Metro Manila such as persons with medical conditions that prevent full COVID-19 vaccination will still be allowed to fly, provided that they present a duly signed medical certificate with name and contact details of their physician.
Likewise, persons who will provide essential goods and services as evidenced by a duly issued barangay health pass or other appropriate proof that will justify travel will also be accepted during the flight, according to the local airlines.
“We are one with the DOTr and the Philippine air transport sector in working to sustain vital air services throughout the country,” PAL Express president Bonifacio Sam adds.
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