DILG to LGUs: Enforce uniform travel protocols

MANILA, Philippines — Local government officials have been directed to review their ordinances to ensure compliance with standard travel protocols.

In a memorandum circular, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said local chief executives should implement uniform travel protocols mandated by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.

The DILG said travel authority and health certificates are not mandatory for domestic travelers, but LGUs could require a negative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test for tourists.

The agency said travelers should not be required to undergo quarantine unless they exhibit symptoms during clinical assessment.

It reminded LGUs that they could not impose additional travel protocols.

LGUs may refuse entry of persons who manifest symptoms or those who do not follow testing and quarantine protocols if the person is not a returning resident.

Unimpeded movement of government officials and personnel should be ensured by the LGU.  Testing or quarantine should not be mandatory if they present a valid ID and travel authority from the agency and undergo screening.

The DILG stressed the need to implement minimum health protocols, including physical distancing, cough etiquette and wearing of face masks and face shields.

Meanwhile, LGUs should release from quarantine facilities visitors who are found positive for COVID-19 if their confirmatory tests are not released after 24 hours.

“Such confirmatory test results if not available within the quarantine period shall necessitate the release of the traveler subject to the strict monitoring of the barangay health emergency response team and practicing of minimum public health protocols,” DILG officer-in-charge Bernardo Florece Jr. said in a memorandum dated March 24.

Florece said the quarantine period should not be more than one day after a confirmatory test is conducted.

He said LGUs that still require testing are allowed to use only RT-PCR or antigen approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

Health care workers should conduct clinical and exposure assessment of travelers at their port of entry. – Emmanuel Tupas