Gov’t beefs up screening of passengers for COVID-19

The government is beefing up the screening and surveillance of passengers passing through ports of entry as part of its expanded efforts to curb the spread of the new coronavirus (COVID-19).

The Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) has approved several measures recommended by the National Task Force Against COVID-19 in IATF Resolution No. 53.

“Due to the developments in the situation of the COVID-19 in the country, further amendments are required to further streamline the government’s response to the pandemic,” part of the measure read.

The IATF backed the efforts of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) in hiring more civilians to serve as additional personnel for contact tracing and swabbing in ports of entry.

In addition, Subic and other ports were designated as hubs for international crew change, subject to strict and established health protocols and guidelines.

Also approved was the creation of one-stop shops under the DOTr for the uniform processing of arrivals in all gateways.

In a statement, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said the IATF approved the measures in a video conference meeting on Thursday.

The IATF also adopted the International Civil Aviation Organization’s protocols for inbound flight crew.

The DOTr, Civil Aeronautics Board and Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines were directed to issue guidelines which must specify that “inbound flight crew must remain in their accommodation establishments upon arrival to avoid transmission.”

Save for Cebu City, other parts of the country are presently under general community quarantine or the more relaxed modified GCQ.