MANILA -- All arriving passengers at the NAIA will be tested for COVID-19 and required to go on quarantine starting Monday, when commercial flights resume at the Philippines' main airport, officials said.

The tests will use PCR or polymerase chain reaction technology, which is considered the most conclusive in detecting COVID-19 infections

Daily passenger arrivals was capped to 400 from 2,000 to give way to the mandatory test and quarantine, said Manila International Airport Authority General Manager Ed Monreal.

“Mandatory na po ngayon ang PCR test (The PCR test is now mandatory),” he added.

• Explainer: What’s the difference between PCR-based and rapid test kits for COVID-19?

Once the enhanced community quarantine or lockdown in Metro Manila and urban areas is lifted on May 15, NAIA is ready to cater to passenger and airline demand, Monreal said.

Social distancing, disinfection and other anti-coronavirus measures are in place, he said.

The Philippines suspended all inbound commercial flights in 9 of its airports last May 3 on the request of the government's pandemic response task force.

Senator Grace Poe, chairperson of the Senate public services committee, questioned the sustainability of the mandatory testing and quarantine for arriving passengers.

“It doesn’t look like this is something we can sustain over even up to a week. Saan mo ilalagay every day 400 people? (Where will you put 400 people everyday?)” Poe said.

Monreal said the policies were approved by the National Task Force for COVID-19 and that the aviation officials were just “implementors.” Various quarantine facilities are in place to handle the surge, he said.

The government transformed several public facilities into COVID-19 treatment and quarantine centers including the World Trade Center and the Philippine International Convention Center.

• PICC, Rizal Stadium, World Trade converted to coronavirus centers in 10 days: DPWH