The Davao City government has ensured that strict protocols are followed for arriving passengers mostly Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) on board two mercy flights from Manila.
The two mercy flights scheduled to arrive at the Francisco Bangoy International Airport on Tuesday, May 12 and on Thursday, May 14, 2020, carry undetermined number of OFWs from different countries. Said flights have been given a go-ahead by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) Task Force in Manila.
“We have our procedure dinhi sa atoa sa Davao International Airport na side. That is the best we can do sa pagkakaron, sa procedure sa entry sa returning residents (We have our procedure here in Davao. That is the best we can do as of now for the entry of returning residents),” Mayor Inday Sara Duterte said on Monday over the Davao City Disaster Radio.
Upon arrival, all passengers will be given screening cards and a rapid testing Kit (RDT). They are also obliged to undergo strict self-quarantine and monitoring.
Passengers manifesting symptoms within the 14-day quarantine are required to inform their District/Barangay Health Officer and go to the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC). They are also required to undergo symptom screening on the 7th day and 14th day from the date of their arrival.
Recall that on May 4 and 6, 2020, the local government of Davao facilitated two roundtrip sweeper flights from Davao to Manila and Clark. Of the 270 passengers of the Manila-Davao flight, one passenger tested positive of the coronavirus.
Mayor Inday told Dabawenyos to manage their expectations on the effect of arrivals of stranded Davao City residents from other areas.
“I-expect na na ninyo. Na everytime naay bulk of people nga mosulod, naa gyud nay positive. Ang mga tao should not expect nga walay surge nga mahitabo kung nagpasulod ta og mga tao (Expect that every time there is a bulk of people entering the city, there will be a positive case. People should not expect that there is no surge that would happen if we let people enter),” the mayor said.
As of 8 a.m. on May 11, 2020, Davao City has recorded 57 active Covid-19 cases with 22 deaths and 81 recoveries. CIO
