ROXAS City – People entering Capiz province must present negative results – for coronavirus disease 2019 – of their reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests.
Gov. Esteban Evan Contreras set this policy in Executive Order (EO) 09-2021 which went into effect on March 8.
The provincial government came up with such decision after discussing with the Provincial Interagency Task Force (IATF) the National IATF’s Resolution 101 on uniform travel protocols for all local government units, easing quarantine and documentary requirements.
Under IATF Resolution No. 101, travelers still have to undergo testing if required by the local government unit (LGU) of their destination.
Also, travelers are not compelled to go on quarantine unless they exhibit symptoms upon arriving in their destination.
They are no longer required, too, to secure travel authority and health certificates.
The same resolution stated that the Safe, Swift, and Smart Passage Travel and Mobility Management System (S-Pass) travel management system of the Department of Science and Technology and the StaySafe.Ph shall be utilized as primary contact tracing devices.
According to Contreras, the RT-PCR test must be conducted and issued by a Department of Health-accredited laboratory and sample must be taken not later than 72 hours prior to the time of travel.
Capiz-bound travelers must also submit an electronic copy of the Travel of Coordination Permit issued S-Pass.
Meanwhile, returning overseas Filipinos (ROFs) who are Capiz residents shall be allowed entry only at the airport or seaport located within the province where they shall be assessed and evaluated at the Triaging Area established therein.
Those who have not completed their mandatory 14-day quarantine shall be required to complete the remainder of their quarantine in a quarantine facility designated by their home LGUs.
Those who do not exhibit any signs and symptoms of COVID-19 infection may be allowed to undergo home quarantine only after a clinical assessment of their condition.
In accordance with the requirements of IAT Resolution No. 96, those who have not been tested and issued a negative result for COVID-19 infection prior to their travel to Cpaiz shall not be allowed to undergo home quarantine unless they are subjected to a COVID-19 test at their expense, to be conducted not later than five days upon their arrival and upon a clinical assessment of their condition./PN
