PAL sets up tighter screening protocols on US-bound flights

MANILA, Philippines — Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) is implementing new protocols in the acceptance of passengers for US-bound flights in line with the new rules imposed by the US Department of Homeland Security (US DHS).

PAL had advised its passengers going to the US of extra screening measures in accordance with the rules of the US DHS.

“If you are traveling to points in the United States, we strongly recommend that you allot extra time (up to four hours before flight departure time) to check-in for your flights,” PAL said in its advisory.

“Each passenger will need to undergo extra screening that includes an interview on recent travel history. This is a mandatory procedure in view of new rules imposed by the US Department of Homeland Security,” it said.

PAL said a passenger will not be accepted to board a flight to the US if the passenger has been present in the People’s Republic of China (excluding Hong Kong and Macau) within the past 14 days preceding the date of departure from the Philippines.

The carrier said exempted from the rule are US citizens, flight crew members, lawful residents in the US, holders of permanent resident card or letter of parole, any alien seeking entry into or transiting the US or who have originated in, transferred from, or transited through China (excluding Hong Kong and Macau) and are entering the US through the Los Angeles International Airport, San Francisco International Airport, Honolulu International Airport, and John F. Kennedy International Airport.

The World Health Organization has declared the novel coronavirus outbreak a public health emergency of international concern.

On Sunday, the Civil Aeronautics Board, in line with the directive of President Duterte, has ordered all airlines operating to and from the Philippines to comply with the temporary banning of entry into the country of any person regardless of nationality, except Filipino citizens and holders of permanent resident visas issued by the Philippine government directly coming from China or its special administrative regions.

Any person regardless of nationality, except Filipino citizens and holders of permanent resident visas, who within 14 days immediately preceding arrival in the Philippines has been to China or its special administrative regions, are also banned from entering the country.

Likewise, a temporary ban on Filipinos from traveling to China or its special administrative regions have also been ordered.

PAL, Cebu Pacific, and AirAsia all expressed their willingness to comply with the government’s directive imposing travel restrictions.