NAIA personnel to undergo free Covid-19 rapid test

The provision of free rapid antibody tests started Wednesday, and is not compulsory to the employees, he said. (Pixabay photo)

MANILA — Several workers detailed at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) can now avail of the rapid antibody test for coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), an executive said Wednesday.

Jess Martinez, Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) Media Affairs Division head, told the Philippine News Agency that the tests are for MIAA employees, as well as its service provider, LSERV.

The provision of free rapid antibody tests started Wednesday, and is not compulsory to the employees, he said.

“If they get a positive test result, they would undergo the RT-PCR (reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction) test, which can be found alongside where the rapid antibody test is being done,” Martinez said.

He said the rapid antibody tests were a donation.

Since March, MIAA has already recorded 54 positive cases of personnel detailed at the NAIA. Out of these, 17 have already recovered, and 37 are active cases. These figures only include MIAA’s permanent personnel and service providers such as administrative support services and janitorial services.

MIAA general manager Ed Monreal has been reminding airport workers to observe precautionary measures, such as regular handwashing and sanitation.

The Authority implements a “no mask, no entry” policy at the NAIA. Physical distancing, temperature checks in both the entrance and exit points, are also being applied, he said.