KALIBO, Aklan – Eight workers of the Kalibo International Airport tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), according to airport manager Engineer Eusebio Monserate, Jr.
Six of them were members of the Aerodome Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) Unit, one of the airport units of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP).
Monserate said the airport has three firefighting units deployed for emergency response, evacuation, mitigation and rescue of airport crew and passengers involved in aviation incidents.
“The newly-infected ARFF members had no direct or close contacts with the members of two other teams,” he said on Dec. 28.
The exact number of high-risk contacts wasn’t specified by Municipal Health Office, but as a precautionary measure, they were advised to isolate in their homes.
The new cases also involved the airport collector and nurse, who were identified as spouses of infected ARFF personnel.
Monserate assured travellers passing through the Kalibo airport that it is a safe haven as they continue to observe stringent health and safety protocols.
“The airport has no quarantine facility. The COVID-19 positive personnel were brought to quarantine facilities. Isolated ang ARFF building from the airport terminal building. Itong kaso ay isolated sa isang area at ang mga infected na personnel ay hindi naman frontliners. We assured the passengers and clients of their safety,” Monserate said.
The airport undertakes disinfection after every flight and cleaning of airport areas twice a day.
While pointing out the regular disinfection, Monserate also reminded the airport staff and passengers to wear facemasks and face shields within the vicinity of the terminal building.
Kalibo airport accommodates daily flights of the Philippine Airlines, AirAsia and Cebu Pacific from Manila for returning overseas workers and locally stranded individuals.
“Ang ibang LGUs from Iloilo and Capiz, dito pa rin dumadaan ang kanilang mga residente sa Kalibo airport,” Monserate stressed.
International travel from mainland China, South Korea, Macau and Taiwan to Kalibo airport is still unavailable due to the coronavirus pandemic./PN
