Quarantine officers at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) are prioritizing passengers arriving from other countries to prevent the spread of a new Covid-19 strain.
The Department of Health (DoH)’s Bureau of Quarantine (BoQ) memo, which directs quarantine staff and other airport agencies around the country to exercise caution when handling the Covid FLiRT version, is followed by this policy.
“We are dealing with a new Covid-19 strain that includes the KP.1 and KP.2 variations, collectively identified as ‘FLiRT’. This novel virus is spreading globally,” claimed the memo from BoQ.
The message clarified that the JN.1 subvariant, which appeared in late 2023 and increased infections early this year, was the source of this variant.
“All stations have been directed to conduct thorough screenings at Points of Entry for travelers from countries with reported Covid FLiRT cases. The general public is urged to practice basic health measures, such as frequent hand washing, proper coughing etiquette, avoiding crowded places, and avoiding contact with people exhibiting flu-like symptoms,” according to the BoQ.
The BoQ memorandum, which was released on May 24, 2024, also suggests that all travelers fill out the health questionnaire that can be found on the e-travel app.
It is suggested that travelers should stay at home if they start developing symptoms of COVID-19. Please call (02) 8651-7800 or 894-Covid to submit any complaints to the Department of Health.
