Passenger, commercial flights to and from Philippines temporarily suspended starting May 3

The Manila International Airport Authority announced on Saturday that passenger and commercial flights to and from the Philippines will be temporarily suspended starting 8 a.m. of Sunday, May 3.

National Task Force Against COVID-19 Chief Implementer Secretary Carlito Galvez, Jr. made the decision to help mitigate the further spread of COVID-19, the MIAA said.

Meanwhile, cargo flights as well as medical supplies, utility and maintenance flights will continue, it added.

Under guidelines released last week by Malacañang, land, air or sea travel by uniformed personnel and government officials and employees for official business, with the corresponding travel authority, especially those transporting medical supplies and laboratory specimens related to COVID-19, and other relief and humanitarian assistance, shall be allowed.

Meanwhile, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade ordered the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) and other airport authorities to seriously consider the reopening of airports in areas covered by the general community quarantine (GCQ) to accommodate commercial aviation operations. —KG, GMA News