NAC confirms no-show incident, reported matter to Health Dept

THE absence of Health Department staff responsible for the mandatory Covid-19 checks at Jackson International Airport caused inconveniences on Saturday, according to the National Airport Corporation (NAC).
About 90 passengers on flight PX001 from Manila (Philippines) had to wait at the airport lounge for more than three hours (5am-8am) before the Health Department staff arrived.
NAC told The National that: “NAC management is aware and confirms this unfortunate incident which caused inconvenience to passengers coming off PX 011”.
“NAC has reported this unfortunate incident to (the) Health Department and the deputy controller of the National Control Centre to resolve.
“We also intend to raise this issue through the Civil Aviation Minister to take up with the Health Minister to intervene and resolve.
“To protect our borders since the beginning of the outbreak, Covid-19 health checks is the first mandatory check prior to all international passengers proceeding through Immigration and Customs clearance.”
NAC said since the Health Department was a separate entity providing the service at the airport, it could not comment why the Health Department’s staff were not stationed on time on Saturday.