NAIA anti-trafficking offices placed under 14-day lockdown

The Ninoy Aquino International Airport Task Force Against Trafficking (NAIA-TFAT) and InterAgency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) offices located at the three terminals have been placed on a “strict” 14-day lockdown.

The NAIA-TFAT and IACAT offices within terminals 1, 2 and 3 were temporarily closed from July 8 to 22, after four NAIATFAT personnel tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

IACAT Undersercretary-inCharge Emmeline Aglipay-Villar in an order said the offices will “undergo immediate disinfection and cleaning procedures.”

“During the temporary closure, all personnel and the general public are hereby prohibited from entering the said premises in order to prevent further spread of the disease,” Villar said.

Villar said the IACAT has also been coordinating with other concerned agencies for contact tracing of those who had close contact with the four NAIA-TFAT personnel.

“The said personnel had regular interactions and dealings with the general public in the course of the performance of their work (like assisting in repatriation efforts in the airport, conduct of regular surveillance activities) at the airport,” Villar said.

All personnel of the NAIATFAT, including the 18 who already underwent PCR Swab Testing in the Philippine General Hospital last July 2, were ordered to undergo “strict self-quarantine measures for 14 days and to observe any health symptoms.”

“Likewise, during the 14-day lockdown period, all existing work assignments shall be, as far as practicable, done from their respective homes where everyone is expected to be on call for urgent matters or concerns,” Villar said.

“A return to work order schedule shall be submitted for recommendation by the head of the NAIA-TFAT upon the end of the 14-day period,” she added.