By Ma. Cristina Arayata
MANILA – With more travelers expected to fly for back-to-school season, AirAsia Philippines on Tuesday urged them to observe precautions against mpox.
“AirAsia Philippines is reminding all passengers to observe proper hygiene amid ongoing health precautions related to mpox,” it said in a statement.
Travelers are encouraged to wash their hands frequently, practice proper coughing and sneezing etiquette, and use alcohol-based hand sanitizers, especially upon disembarkation.
On June 7, the Department of Health (DOH) advised the public to heed health advisories through the DOH’s official social media accounts.
The DOH made this call as it denied information circulating online claiming a lockdown is in place in the country due to mpox.
In an advisory, the department said it does not see the need to impose a lockdown as mpox is “not airborne.”
The DOH said last week that all cases of mpox in the country belong to Clade 2 and not the fatal Clade 1B strain that caused the 2024 outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Meanwhile, AirAsia said 20 percent of its market in 2024 is young individuals aged 2 to 24.
“It is important to make journeys meaningful, especially when it concerns education. Any savings on travels can be used for other purposeful school-related requirements or plan for another trip,” said Steve Dailisan, AirAsia’s head of Communications.
The carrier’s ongoing seat sale, which includes a one-way base for as low as PHP208, can be availed of until June 15 for travel until Nov. 30, 2025.
AirAsia said the sale applies to all domestic routes from Manila. (PNA)
