Leisure travel under GCQ subject to task force, local gov't approval – DOTr chief
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 1)— Airline companies have recently announced the resumption of flights under more relaxed lockdown rules, but travel for leisure and tourism purposes would still need to gain the approval and pass the requirements of the COVID-19 inter-agency task force and local government units, the Transportation Department said Monday.
Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said the gradual resumption of travel among areas under general community quarantine would help start "planting the seeds" for domestic tourism. However, he stressed that the local and task officials still have the final call on whether to green light the move in this time of health crisis.
"Pag inumpsihan natin 'yung opening ng GCQ to GCQ, allow people to go home, allow people to go be with their families. But also, I want to create a situation where we plant already at this time the seeds for domestic tourism," Tugade told CNN Philippines' The Source.
[Translation: When we start to open GCQ to GCQ, allow people to go home, allow people to go be with their families. But also, I want to create a situation where we plant already at this time the seeds for domestic tourism.]
"Subject ho sa own requirements ng mga LGU. Kasi meron hong mga LGU na nagsasabi ngayon, ayaw pa namin, tsaka na. Meron namang mga LGU na nagsasabi, pwede na. 'Yun, kikilalanin ho namin, 'yung mga posisyon na ganoon ng mga LGU in coordination with DILG and in observance with the requirements of the IATF," he added.
[Translation: It's still subject to the own requirements of the LGU. Because some LGUs right now are saying they don't want to reopen yet, while some said it's okay. We'll take a look at these positions of LGUs, in coordination with DILG, and in observance with the requirements of the IATF.]
With Metro Manila and several other parts of the country easing into a more relaxed GCQ, airlines have set new schedules for both domestic and international travels starting this June.
After over two months of suspension, flag carrier Philippine Airlines said its domestic flights will resume on June 8. International flights will also be back on a limited capacity, with a flight to San Francisco on Monday and other flights to other destinations later this month.
Cebu Pacific and AirAsia will likewise resume domestic operations this month following the national government's latest quarantine directive.
Cebu Pacific's international flights, however, remain suspended until June 30. AirAsia said its services will gradually increase to include international destinations by July 1.
READ: Airlines announce new domestic flight schedules for June
Tugade said international travels will also be allowed, with priority flights provided for returning residents, overseas workers, and diplomats, among others. He added officials are also looking at reopening the international gateways at Clark, Cebu, and Davao.
Air carriers previously announced that they are ready for the "new normal" in air travel to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease in the country.
Passengers are expected to follow enhanced safety measures such as the mandatory wearing of face masks, social distancing, and other protocols at the airport and in their respective flights.
