Mactan-Cebu International Airport - Guide for Arriving Seafarers / OFWs (Overseas Filipino Workers)
Cebu Province to swab upon arrival unvaccinated, partially vaccinated travelers
January 28,2022 - CEBU CITY, Philippines — Cebu Province will be abiding by the newly released COVID-19 guidelines of the National Interagency Task Force (IATF) for incoming travelers from abroad giving privileges to those who are fully vaccinated. Except that Cebu will require unvaccinated or partially vaccinated travelers from abroad to undergo a swab upon arrival at the airport or seaports. Fully vaccinated individuals must present a negative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test taken 48 hours before departure and they no longer need to quarantine in a facility upon arrival. They are still required to self-monitor for seven days and must report to the local government unit (LGU) should they develop symptoms. For the unvaccinated, partially vaccinated, or individuals whose vaccination status cannot be independently validated, they shall be required to present a negative RT-PCR test taken within 48 hours prior to departure from the country of origin. Additionally, they shall be required to undergo facility-based quarantine until the release of their negative RT-PCR test taken on the fifth day. After which, they shall be required to undergo home quarantine until their 14th day, with the date of arrival being the first day. In Memorandum Number 6-2022 released on January 28, 2022, Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia enjoined the Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIA), Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ), and airline operators to follow the new guidelines. The governor has decided to keep the swabbing upon arrival only for the unvaccinated and partially vaccinated individuals. Afterward, they will be quarantined in a facility until the fifth day, upon which they will be tested again. “Airline operators are enjoined to require international passengers traveling to Cebu to present proof of their full vaccination at their place of origin upon check-in. Absence of said proof shall classify the traveler as unvaccinated or partially unvaccinated,” said Garcia in the memorandumCaution from DOH-7
The Department of Health in Central Visayas (DOH-7) warned that even fully vaccinated individuals bring the risk of the virus as they can prove positive on the testing upon arrival.
“A word of caution based on our on the ground data. Kung titignan po natin marami po tayong fully vaccinated arrivals na positive pa rin upon arrival, data taken from MCIA. Kasi sa totoo naman po tayo lang naman ang masipag mag testing ng libre sa RT-PCR sa lahat ng pumapasok sa MCIA as part of our border control,” said Doctor Mary Jean Loreche, the chief pathologist of DOH-7.
She said that for the past season of surges, the testing upon arrival has proven to be a huge help in containing variants of concerns from other countries.
“I am one with the need to incentivize fully vaccinated but then again our cases are still high. There are also very high cases abroad. I really hope that we can retain the testing upon arrival bago natin sila mairelease at kahit papaano, at least mahahabol natin sila sa LGUs (local government units),” Loreche added.
Loreche believes that a swab upon arrival even for fully vaccinated individuals reduces the risk that the vaccinated are unknowingly bringing the virus into their homes.
Still, because of the new guidelines, Loreche said travelers from abroad should be empowered to be self-aware, to monitor themselves, and to follow health protocols to avoid bringing in the COVID-19 or any of its variants into Cebu.
Omicron variant
As of January 28, Loreche said the confirmed Omicron variant cases in Central Visayas is now 46.
An additional 24 specimens returned from the Philippine Genome Center (PGC) on Friday, proving positive to the Omicron variant.
Loreche notes that of the 46 Omicron cases, only three were admitted and all of them are alive. Some have recovered, all are vaccinated except one.
The DOH-7 considers the current rise of COVID-19 cases in Cebu as an Omicron-drive surge.
One Stop Shop Coordination Meeting Agenda: New guidelines concerning ship manning agents / agencies and Filipino seafarers.
UPDATES as of 12 May 2021
One Stop Shop Coordination Meeting Agenda: New guidelines concerning ship manning agents / agencies and Filipino seafarers.
1. Implementation of IATF Resolution 114 (7th Day Swab; 9th day release of Results: 10th Day release of Pax to LGUs)
2. International Arrival Capacity for MIAA, Cebu and Clark
3. One Hotel Command
4. Balikpinas.ph and e-CIF Concerns / Health Declaration Registration - an online platform of One Stop Shop (OSS) for the registration and administration of Returning Overseas Filipinos and other persons for CoVID-19 testing and response.
UPDATE AS OF 31 JANUARY 2021
PUBLIC ADVISORY
UPDATED ARRIVAL PROTOCOLS FOR INTERNATIONAL PASSENGERS AT MCIA EFFECTIVE FEBRUARY 1, 2021
Pursuant to the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) Resolution Nos. 96 and 97, all international passengers arriving at Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) shall observe the following arrival protocols starting FEBRUARY 1, 2021.
BEFORE YOUR ARRIVAL
Before your scheduled arrival at MCIA, make sure to complete and ensure the following:
• For all types of passengers, complete the online MCIA Passenger Arrival Registration Form via https://mactancebuairport.com/covid-19-registration within five (5) days before your scheduled arrival date at MCIA. Take note of your Barcode/Travel Reference Number (TRN) sent to your email address upon completion of the form.
• Adherence to the mandatory RT-PCR swab testing on the 5th day from the arrival date at MCIA
•For OFWs, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) shall shoulder the cost of quarantine facility and swab test upon arrival.
• For non-OFW Filipinos and foreign nationals, the following required arrangements are shouldered by the passengers:
A minimum of seven (7) days hotel booking confirmation at accredited hotels.
For the list of accredited hotels, click here or visit https://bit.ly/MCIAAccreditedHotels.
RT-PCR swab test cost of P4,100.00 paid upon arrival or pre-paid
STEP-BY-STEP ARRIVAL GUIDE
STEP 1. IN-FLIGHT PROCEDURES
Prior to arrival, fill out and complete the following forms distributed by the airline crew while in-flight:
• Health Declaration Form
• Immigration Arrival Card
STEP 2. ARRIVAL BRIEFING
Upon arrival, undergo required briefing by the Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ).
STEP 3. VALIDATION
Once briefing is done, proceed to the Validation Counter and present the following:
• Barcode/Travel Reference Number (TRN)
• Passport
• Boarding Pass
• Health Declaration Form
Keep the printed barcode until the date of your scheduled swab test.
STEP 4. TEMPERATURE SCAN
Proceed to thermal scanning by the BOQ.
STEP 5. IMMIGRATION CLEARANCE
Proceed to the Immigration counter for clearance. Submit Immigration Arrival Card.
STEP 6. PROCEED TO DESIGNATED COUNTERS
Proceed to the designated counters at the Arrival Reclaim Hall:
• For OFWs: OWWA Counter for hotel accommodation assignment
• For non-OFW Filipinos and foreign nationals: Cashier counter for payment of swab test.
PHP and Visa card are accepted. For other currencies, proceed to the foreign exchange counter at the arrivals area.
STEP 7. IMMIGRATION CLEARANCE
Proceed to assigned reclaim belt to claim baggage.
STEP 8. WAITING AREA
Proceed to the designated waiting area and wait for a representative from the respective agencies for Customs clearance:
• OWWA for OFWs
• Accredited hotel representatives for returning non-OFW Filipinos and foreign nationals
STEP 9. CUSTOMS CLEARANCE
Proceed to Customs counter for clearance.
STEP 10. QUARANTINE FACILITY TRANSFER
Proceed to your designated vehicle with your respective agency representative for hotel or quarantine accommodation drop-off.
STEP 11. SWAB TEST DAY
On your swab test date scheduled five (5) days from your arrival date, submit the printed barcode to the medical personnel then undergo swab testing. The swab testing will be performed at your designated quarantine facility.
STEP 12. RELEASING OF TEST RESULTS
Test results are released within 24-48 hours via the email address provided in the online registration form.
• If swab test result is POSITIVE, BOQ will coordinate with the passenger for specific instructions. The passenger must comply with the mandated health, safety, and treatment protocols of the DOH and BOQ.
• If swab test result is NEGATIVE, the passenger will receive the test result via email from the BOQ.
For inquiries on test result, please contact the Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ) via boq@gmcac.ph or call (032) 494-7000, 7688 to 7690.
STEP 13. HOME BOUND
If swab test result is negative, coordinate with your LGU for further instructions on transport and completion of the remainder of the 14-day quarantine. You may coordinate with your LGUs for pick up or arrange your own transportation depending on the instructions of your LGU.
Passengers are strongly advised to continuously monitor the status of their flights and ensure that they have the necessary documents in compliance with the regulations of the local government of their point of origin and place of destination.
Passengers are also advised to exercise diligence to ensure the health and safety of other passengers and airport staff during this time of a health crisis.
#MCIAAdvisory
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