ILOILO City – Residents here returning from areas outside Western Visayas won’t be required anymore to first undergo reverse transcription – polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test and submit a negative result.
According to Mayor Jerry Treñas, retuning residents will only be tested upon arrival.
They can avail themselves of free RT-PCR test from the city government-run Uswag Testing Center, said Treñas.
“Through this, we can lessen the burden that our returning residents carry,” according to the city mayor.
Treñas is set to issue an executive order regarding this newest policy.
Earlier this month, this city started enforcing stricter health protocols following the detection of the contagious Omicron variant of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Arevalo district.
Treñas’ Executive Order 001-2022 imposes mandatory swabbing on all incoming travelers, including returning overseas Filipino workers, Authorized Persons Outside of Residence (APORs), and returning residents as well as non-essential travelers and tourists (effective Jan. 7).
Meanwhile, for travelers from Negros Island, Treñas amended his previous to harmonize travel requirements with those of the Bacolod City government.
For fully vaccinated inbound travelers, the requirements will only be the vaccination card and valid government-issued identification card.
On the other hand, those who are partially vaccinated and unvaccinated are required to present a negative RT-PCR test result.
The test should be conducted within 72 hours prior to and upon arrival in Iloilo City, approved S-Pass and valid government-issued ID./PN
