Why are COVID-positive airline passengers still showing up for their flights?

Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) General Manager Ed Monreal has appealed to Filipinos not to take chances regarding their health condition even if they have scheduled flights.

Based on MIAA records, a total of 138 individuals have been intercepted this year at the different security and airline checkpoints of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminals 1, 2, and 3 for having positive reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test results. The covered period was from January 1 to April 15, 2021.

“Let us not take chances. The airport security and airline check-in staff will always check on your requirements and truth will be known in the process,” Monreal said.

The barred passengers have given a handful of reasons why they opted to go to the airport despite being potential spreaders of the deadly coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

The most common reason according to authorities is that the passengers only learned about their test results upon arriving at NAIA.

Meanwhile, others claimed that they brought their test results with them but did not bother to look at it. There were also passengers who were allegedly told by their recruitment agencies to proceed to NAIA and wait for the test results there.

Monreal expressed deep concern over this “utter disregard for safety guidelines”. He advised passengers to be responsible travelers.

The MIAA management assured the public that the disinfection of terminals and facilities are being done consistently, on top of the observance of minimum public health standards.