Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) resumed operations for domestic flights at Terminal 1 today (June 6).
International commercial flights remain restricted but MCIA said it “will soon be in a position to meet mandatory health screening requirements that will pave the way for the resumption of international flights this month.”
The resumption of domestic commercial flights follow the easing of community quarantines nationwide starting this month after being suspended—except for repatriation and cargo flights—since mid-March. Airlines were also allowed to mount flights between areas under general community quarantine.
MCIA advised all passengers to coordinate with their respective airlines and continuously monitor the status of their flights and to ensure all travel documents are complete before proceeding to the airport.
Further, the public has been enjoined to follow airport safety procedures to ensure the well-being of passengers and airport staff during the current coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
MCIA concessionaire GMR Megawide Cebu Airport Corp earlier said it is ramping up preparations for the “new normal” travel experience at MCIAin adherence to the government’s guidelines intended to prevent the further spread of COVID-19.
READ: Cebu airport rolls out health, safety measures
Among other safety measures to be implemented at MCIA are:
- Compulsory use of face masks for all passengers and airport employees within the vicinity of Terminal 1, Terminal 2 and adjacent areas
- Mandatory body temperature checks for all passengers and airport employees by airport security staff using handheld thermal devices at all airport entry points while the Bureau of Quarantine (BoQ) will continuously monitor the body temperature of arriving passengers through thermal imaging systems.
- Hand sanitizing and shoe disinfection for all passengers and employees prior to terminal entry. Hand sanitizers and footbaths are provided at all entry points.
- Social distancing protocols which require three to six feet in queuing points and a one-seat-apart policy in waiting areas will be implemented. There will be visible floor markings to guide the passengers while queueing at high-traffic areas such as entry gates, ticketing booths, check-in counters, F&B and retail stores, boarding gates, escalators and stairs. Moreover, the use of the elevators will be regulated to conform to social distancing protocols.
- Airport procedures such as security checks and check-in will be modified to adopt “no-touch measures” to reduce any means of contact.
- Passengers will be asked to follow gradual aircraft boarding and disembarkation procedures to avoid any queue formation and congestion. All passengers and employees are reminded to always keep right when traversing walkways and lanes.
- Regular disinfection of passenger areas and terminal facilities such as escalators, elevators, stairways, passenger boarding bridges, restrooms, and items that are physically handled by passengers such as baggage trolleys and security trays at the security screening points will be regularly sanitized.
- Passenger areas such as departure boarding gates, arrival reclaim halls, and immigration passport control area will be disinfected at regular intervals.
- Additional alcohol-based hand sanitizers will be installed in public areas of the terminals for the use of passengers and airport employees. Moreover, liquid hand soap in all restrooms will be replaced with medical-grade handwash soap for thorough disinfection.
- A protective clear shield will be fitted and installed in all check-in counters to serve as a protective barrier between the passenger and the check-in agent.
- The isolated holding areas that have been in place since the onset of the COVID-19 outbreak will continue to be used as a medical isolation room where personnel from BoQ can conduct quarantine assessment.
- Health advisories based on guidance materials from the IATF, Department of Health, and the World Health Organization will be displayed in strategic locations to provide passengers with ample information on COVID-19.
