Overseas travelers asked to be at airport early for social distancing enforcement
By Jun Ramirez
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) urged travelers who are going abroad during the holidays to be at the airport early to allow the agency to enforce strict social distancing.
Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said travelers should be at the airport earlier than their scheduled departure flights to ensure that they have ample time to check in at their airlines and ensure social distancing at the immigration area.
Local airlines suggest that travelers start the check-in process three to four hours prior to their scheduled flight.
Morente noted that in the past few days there has been a steady increase in the number of international travelers departing from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and the airports in Mactan, Cebu and Clark, Pampanga with the onset of the Christmas season.
“While there are significantly less travelers this year because of the pandemic, there could still be congestion for late passengers rushing during boarding time,” said Morente.
He said that due to coronavirus (COVID-19) airlines would need more time to conduct additional check to ensure compliance with travel restrictions.
The BI chief advised passengers to make sure that they have complete travel papers, as well as pandemic requirements by countries where they are going.
He added that immigration officers have been instructed to be more vigilant in screening passengers as illegal recruiters can take advantage of the holiday rush to spirit out their victims.