February 02, 2020
The Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) is now coordinating with relevant agencies in implementing the government-ordered temporary travel ban covering all travelers from Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau as a precaution against the threat of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV). China’s Hubei Province and the provincial capital of Wuhan City have been at the epicenter of the 2019-nCoV outbreak.
GMR MEGAWIDE Cebu Airport Corporation (GMCAC) and the Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA), together with the Bureaus of Immigration and Quarantine, are working to ensure that all airlines operating direct international flights into Cebu from China, Hong Kong, and Macau are aware of the new directive and take appropriate action to minimize disruption to its inbound and outbound flights.
To align with the overall enforcement of the travel ban ordered by President Rodrigo Duterte, GMCAC is coordinating with all airline operators, concerned airport community stakeholders, and even with the Manila International Airport Authority, operator of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
Isolated Holding Area
The entry ban exempts Filipino citizens and permanent residents in the country but requires them to be quarantined for 14 days. In response, MCIA has already designated an isolated holding area for these passengers who are allowed to disembark. This holding facility is closed off to non-essential airport employees and is connected to a separate bus bay to ensure proper handling and transport of the quarantined passengers, in line with the required stringent quarantine procedures.
Precautionary Measures
More than a week ago, precautionary measures to control the potential spread and transmission of the novel coronavirus were already put in place by the Mactan-Cebu International Airport community. This adheres to MCIA's commitment to ensure the well-being of passengers and employees. These measures include the following:
All airlines have been advised to make a standard in-flight announcement prior to landing at MCIA advising passengers experiencing flu-like symptoms to self-declare and voluntarily submit to a medical screening by the Bureau of Quarantine upon disembarkation.
MCIA encourages affected passengers to get in touch with their respective airlines for updates on their flight schedules and information on how to avail of flight rebooking and/or other options. For other queries, passengers may call the MCIA trunk line at (032) 494-7000.