CLARK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT—Other than the 14 passengers that were turned back to Hong Kong on Sunday, as well as some canceled flights, airport operations here is “business as usual.”
This was the observation made by Teri Flores, spokesman of the Luzon International Premiere Airport Development, which operates and maintains this airport.
Flores said following the directive of Malacañang, the airport management has immediately approved the temporary ban on the entry of any person, regardless of nationality, except Filipino citizens and holders of permanent resident visa issued by the Philippine government, directly coming from China and its Special Administrative Regions.
Flores said the 14 passengers were retained on hold at the airport on Sunday as they were not allowed to pass by immigration.
The 14 passengers were returned to Hong Kong on Monday via Cathay Dragon flight, she added.
Flores also confirmed that China Eastern Airlines, Xiamen Air and Cebu Pacific have also canceled their flights.
In a travel advisory on February 2, AirAsia also suspended its flights between the Philippines and China.
Executive Secretary Salvador C. Medialdea said President Duterte issued a directive on January 31, on the containment and neutralization of the spread of the novel coronavirus.