PB OKs ordinance on travel protocols

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu Provincial Board has approved an ordinance easing the restrictions for persons entering the province and defining the protocols to be observed by repatriated overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and returning non-OFWs.

The ordinance, which was certified urgent by Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, was unanimously approved on first, second, and third reading on Monday.  The ordinance dropped the mandatory quarantine for local travelers and those Filipinos coming from outside the country.

Under the measure, Authorized Persons Outside of Residence (APOR) and non -APOR traveling to Cebu Province are not anymore required to undergo RT-PCR test and mandatory quarantine.

APORs only need a valid ID and certified true copy of their travel authority issued by their Department Secretary or his designated officials. Provided, however, that they do not have symptoms at the point of their departure and arrival. For non-APORs, they need a valid medical certificate and pass the symptoms checking.

The ordinance adopted the Executive Order 17 issued by Garcia for repatriated OFWs and Non-OFWs travelling to Cebu Province.  OFWs and non-OFWs will not to be required to undergo 10 days.

They are, however, required to undergo RT-PCR testing upon arrival at the Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIA), and will wait at the pre-booked hotel or accommodation establishments pending the result of their swab test.

If the result shows that they are negative of COVID-19, they can immediately go home to their hometowns. If the result comes out positive, the DOH protocols will have to be followed.

Earlier, the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) approved the proposal of DOH requiring OFWs and returning overseas Filipinos to be swabbed on the seventh day into their 14-day quarantine. — FPL (FREEMAN)