Local carriers Philippine Airlines (PAL) and AirAsia Philippines have expressed support to the Department of Transportation’s (DOTr) policy barring unvaccinated individuals from riding public transportation in the National Capital Region while the area is under Alert Level 3 or higher.
“We laud the DOTr’s initiative to help the Filipino public embark on essential travels during the current crisis,” PAL president and chief operating officer Gilbert Santa Maria said in a statement.
“We assure the public that PAL will do our part to uphold the strictest safety standards and health protocols in our continuing operation of our domestic and international flight network,” Santa Maria added.
On January 11, 2022, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade issued Department Order No. 2022-001 that allows public transportation access only to fully vaccinated individuals.
Vaccination status can be proven by either physical or digital copies of local government unit-issued vaccine card, Department of Health-issued vaccine certification, or any Inter-Agency Task Force-prescribed document with valid government-issued ID with picture and address.
In issuing the order, the DOTr noted that all local government unit ordinances in Metro Manila prohibit the unvaccinated from using public transportation.
The Transportation department cited the Metro Manila Council Resolution No. 22-011, series of 2022, which prohibits the unvaccinated from domestic travel via public transportation by land, sea, and air as legal basis for its “no vaccination, no ride” policy.
For its part, AirAsia Philippines CEO Ricky Isla said the low-cost carrier “considers this initiative from the DOTr as an effective tool to encourage every Filipino to take the shot, and get an added layer of protection against any emerging COVID-19 variant.”
Isla said AirAsia Philippines will abide by and implement DOTr Order No. 2022-001.
“From the onset of the pandemic, AirAsia has always been working closely with the IATF, DOTr and its attached agencies along with medical experts in the implementation of multi-layered approaches to safety in the aviation sector,” he said.
Beginning January 17, 2022, the low-cost airline will continue to fly fully vaccinated guests from its Manila hub, while complying with the latest travel guidelines set by the respective local government units (LGUs) of their destination.
Exempted from the “no vaccination, no ride” policy are the following:
- Persons with medical conditions that prevent their full COVID-19 vaccination as shown by a duly-signed medical certificate with the name and contact details of their doctor.
- Persons who will buy essential goods and services, such as but not limited to food, water, medicine, medical devices, public utilities, energy, work, and medical and dental necessities, as shown by a duly issued barangay health pass or other proof to justify travel
With this, AirAsia Philippines said non-vaccinated guests with essential purpose of travel from Metro Manila such as persons with medical conditions that prevent full COVID-19 vaccination will still be allowed to fly, provided that they present a duly signed medical certificate with name and contact details of their physician.
Likewise, persons who will provide essential goods and services as evidenced by a duly issued barangay health pass or other appropriate proof that will justify travel will also be accepted during the flight, AirAsia said.
“We are one with the DOTr and the Philippine air transport sector in working to sustain vital air services throughout the country, facilitating the delivery of urgent goods including lifesaving vaccines, and helping our OFWs and overseas Filipinos fly to their home provinces,” PAL Express president Bonifacio Sam. —KBK, GMA News
PAL, AirAsia back DOTr’s ‘no vax, no ride’ policy
Source: News Panda Philippines
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