By Recto L. Mercene & Samuel P. Medenilla
AIRPORT authorities have ordered the fumigation, prior to landing, of airplanes coming from any Chinese airport or those with connecting flights to China to help prevent the spread of viruses and harmful insects, as authorities worldwide scrambled to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus.
The Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ) and the Manila International Airport Authority (Miaa) on Sunday directed all foreign and local carriers with international routes to conduct the aircraft disinfection.
The BOQ and Miaa General Manager Ed Monreal also obliged all aircraft operators, handlers, air carriers and airport authorities to conduct fumigation before takeoff at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia).
“Disinsection and disinfection are public health measures mandated by the International Health Regulations of the World Health Organizations [WHO]. It involves treatment of the interior of the aircraft with insecticides and disinfectants or aerosol as specified by the health body,” the airport doctors said.
Meanwhile, as the new coronavirus continues to spread worldwide, Malacañang on Sunday called on Filipinos abroad to take the necessary health precautions.
“Our advice to them is to follow the precautions given by local authorities so they will not be infected,” Presidential spokesman Salvador S. Panelo said in a radio interview.
He also urged them to exercise the necessary personal measures to fight infection, as endorsed by health officials.
The WHO and the Department of Health (DOH) have issued guidelines on how the public could protect themselves from coronaviruses.
The recommendations include—regular handwashing for 20 seconds with soap and water; avoidance of touching one’s eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands; avoiding contact with people who show symptoms of respiratory illness, such as coughing and sneezing; thoroughly cooking meat and eggs; covering one’s mouth and nose with tissue when coughing or sneezing; and cleaning and disinfecting objects and surfaces.
As of January 25, WHO reported 1,320 confirmed cases globally of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), which is said to have originated from Wuhan, China. That city was placed on total lockdown by Chinese authorities last week. Flights to and from Wuhan were suspended by carriers, including those that mount flights to the Philippines.
Of the total reported by WHO, 1,297 cases are in China, including Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan. The rest are in Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Singapore, Australia, Thailand, Nepal, the United States and France.
Hong Kong, Taiwan and Japan are among the top destination countries for OFWs, while the US hosts the most number of Filipino immigrants worldwide.
No confirmed case
DOH said there is currently no confirmed case of 2019-nCoV in the Philippines.
The large number of infected people in Wuhan has prompted the US government to initiate the repatriation of its nationals in the city.
Panelo said the government currently has no plans to do the same.
This was echoed by Labor Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III, who told the BusinessMirror in a SMS, that they currently have yet to receive any request for repatriation from any OFW in Wuhan.
Aircraft disinfection
On the aviation authorities’ order to clean aircraft, quarantine officials said there are different procedures to carry out disinsection or disinfection inside the aircraft, such as:
■ Treatment of the interior of the aircraft using a quick-acting insecticide or disinfectant spray immediately before takeoff, with the passengers on board.
■ Treatment of the interior of the aircraft on the ground before passengers come on board, using a residual-insecticide/disinfectant aerosol, plus additional in-flight treatment with a quick-acting spray shortly before landing; and
■ Regular application of a residual insecticide/disinfectant to all internal surfaces of the aircraft, except those in food preparation.
The BOQ and Miaa said that for every arrival at the airport and prior to cargo being unloaded, “every hold of the aircraft must be sprayed with one can of 2 percent d-phenothrin and 2 percent of permethrin.” The number of cans required will be determined by the type of aircraft. The BOQ said if airlines fail to comply with the directives, the bureau will do the spraying and a fee, per can, will be charged to the airline operators.
Monreal said that officials and members of the Airline Operators Council (AOC) welcome the BOQ mandate for the passengers’ protection.
The BOQ said the usual practice before was for airline staff to submit the canister used in spraying to the quarantine officers on duty as “proof” that they conducted the spraying on the aircraft upon arrival at the Naia.
Monreal added that additional hand sanitizers were installed at the immigration counters, customs, airport toilets and at the arrival lobby of the four terminals. “These are easily accessible to all incoming passengers and airport employees to help prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.”
Building attendants at Naia terminals are also advised to clean thoroughly the luggage conveyors after every use using a multipurpose cleaner. Meanwhile, the Department of Tourism and the DOH assured all international tourists that the Philippines is still a “generally safe place” despite the coronavirus or 2019-nCoV jitters.
Image credits: Suh Myung-geon/Yonhap via AP