MANILA – Domestic commercial flights will be allowed between areas under the general community quarantine, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said Thursday night, as the country further eases restrictions following a 2-month coronavirus lockdown.

Aviation authorities would also expand international air travel to Clark, Cebu and Davao, he told President Rodrigo Duterte in a a briefing, as operations are concentrated in the Philippine capital.

These international gateways will have testing laboratories for arriving passengers, he added.

“”Pag nagawa ito, mahalaga ito, kasi kung darating ‘yong mga pasahero from international sa mga primary gateways na ito, kailangan ‘yong testing facility nandodoon,” Tugade said.

Aviation authorities have also tapped local hospitals to conduct tests for passengers for possible coronavirus infection

The DOTr chief also revealed they would open up more international gateways in the coming weeks. This will include airports in Zamboanga, Iloilo, Bacolod and Bohol.

“It’s imperative we spread aviation operations to other parts of the country,” he said.

• Duterte: Metro Manila transitions to general quarantine on June 1

Metro Manila, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, the provinces of Pangasinan and Albay and Davao City will shift to general quarantine on June 1.