RESIDENTS of Bohol, Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental are now required to present a negative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) or rapid antigen test result when entering Cebu Province.
Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia issued Executive Order (EO) 22, titled “Regulating the Entry of persons into the Province of Cebu who originate from Bohol, Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental,” amid the rise in coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases in these provinces.
The negative RT-PCT test result must be taken 72 hours before departure, while the negative rapid antigen test must be taken at least 48 hours before departure.
The order will take effect at 12:01 a.m. on Monday, June 14, 2021, and will remain valid until July 24.
EO 22 is in line with the joint decision of the directors of the Department of Health (DOH) 7, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) 7 and Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas to enforce stricter travel restrictions on people coming from these provinces.
As of Sunday, June 13, Negros Occidental logged 2,368 active cases, while Bohol and Negros Oriental logged 1,272 and 3,116 active cases, respectively, as of Saturday, June 12.
The DOH is tasked to conduct a rapid antigen test at all ports of origin before passengers can go to Cebu Province.
All members of the Philippine Ports Authority and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) are tasked with inspecting or screening passengers.
Meanwhile, all passengers bound for Cebu Province who dock in Cebu City will also be required to submit a negative RT-PCR test in compliance with Governor Garcia’s EO 22.
City Councilor Joel Garganera, deputy chief implementer of the City’s Emergency Operations Center, has scheduled a meeting with officials from the Cebu Port Authority, PCG, shipping lines and the DILG on Monday for the enforcement of EO 22.
Garganera said travelers from Bohol, Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental will not be swabbed at the city’s ports.
He said the City will study whether to accept a negative rapid antigen test result from travelers from these provinces.
“Regarding antigen, I will still discuss that tomorrow (Monday, June 14) in our huddle for Cebu City arriving passengers,” he said.
Cebu City logged 447 active cases, as of Saturday.
In Siquijor, the Provincial Government has required all visitors, including residents returning home, to undergo an antigen swab test at the New Siquijor Provincial Hospital in Caipilan.
Gov. Zaldy Villa, signed the EO 2021-ZSV-020 s. of 2021 on Sunday, which took effect on the same day.
Under the EO, the antigen swab test may be conducted at the rural health unit of the concerned municipality subject to the written authority and approval of the governor.
Non-compliance will constitute criminal or administrative liability on the part of the violator.
As of Saturday, Siquijor logged 25 active Covid-19 cases. (ANV, JJL, WBS)