Isolation area in air carriers up for removal
MANILA – The requirement for air carriers to reserve enough space of the aircraft cabin for isolation purposes for people suspected of illness during domestic flights, has been removed by the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF).
Domestic air carriers were previously required to place an isolation area while in transit.
The Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) removed the requirement for air carriers to reserve a portion of the aircraft cabin as an isolation area for suspected/ill passengers on board during domestic flights. The Task Force earlier decided to enforce the requirement based on available information that time that COVID-19 is transmitted in closed settings.
There are now more approved health protocols from boarding to landing with the introduction of High efficiency Particular Air (HEPA) filters. Domestic flights are normally short generally not exceeding 1.5 hours.
According to the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), the removal of this requirement will not go against World Health Organization and International Civil Aviation Organization guidelines and protocols.
The CAAP approved the removal of such requirement based on the recommendation of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and CAAP with the agreement of the Department of Health (DOH). The DOTr will issue the necessary amendatory guidelines. (Melo M. Acuña)
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