Covid-19 positive workers at NAIA now 32

FILE: Facade of Terminal 3 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. (Photo By Mithril Cloud at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0)

MANILA – The number of personnel working at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) who tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) has reached 32, Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) general manager Ed Monreal said on Monday.

“Right now as we speak, we have 32 (positive cases). Out of this, 10 have already recovered, while the rest are undergoing quarantine,” he said during the Laging Handa briefing.

Monreal said the MIAA has been monitoring and attending to these through the help of their respective barangays.

Despite the positive cases recorded among employees, Monreal said there is no need to close the airport, as this is important to the aviation sector.

For specific offices where an employee was found to have tested positive for Covid-19, he said the office is being closed for a maximum of three days for double disinfection. Contact tracing is also being done, he added.

As precautionary measures, Monreal said the MIAA implements a “no mask, no entry” policy at the NAIA. Physical distancing is also being observed through floor markings and a limitation to the number of passengers allowed inside elevators.

Temperature checks are in place in both the entrance and exit points, and acrylic barriers were placed in all check-in counters.

Handwashing stations can also be found around the airport, Monreal said.

Meanwhile, Monreal appealed to the locally stranded individuals (LSIs) not to go to the airport if they don’t have confirmed tickets.

“They should also have complete documents, such as travel passes and medical certificates, as these are being asked by the local government units of the provinces they are heading to,” he said.

Those with confirmed departure tickets within 48 hours are allowed to stay at the airport.

“They (LSIs) are being provided with food thrice a day, a place to stay inside the airport, and a shower area,” Monreal said.