Cebu lifts COVID-19 test requirement for travelers

CEBU, Philippines — A negative reverse transcription-poymerase chain reaction or antigen test is no longer required for travelers to Cebu province.

In a memorandum issued yesterday, Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia lifted the COVID-19 test requirement, saying a certificate that a visitor has no symptoms of the virus would suffice.

“The medical certificate should be issued within 24 hours immediately before arrival in Cebu,” Garcia’s order read.

The memo, which was effective immediately, was addressed to all mayors in the province as well as the Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine National Police, Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority and airline operators.

The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases placed Cebu under general community quarantine (GCQ) until Oct. 31.

The number of active cases in the province dropped to 1,636 on Wednesday compared to 6,044 on Aug. 22.

The cities of Cebu and Mandaue, which also recorded a decrease in the number of active infections, will remain under GCQ.

Lapu-Lapu City will be under GCQ with heightened restrictions.

The Department of Health said Lapu-Lapu has 985 active cases, but its critical care utilization rate remains high at 73.6 percent.

The cities of Cebu and Mandaue logged 1,090 and 500 active cases, respectively. The critical rate utilization rate in the areas were down to 36 to 37 percent. – Caecent Magsumbol/The Freeman