By Dolly Yasa
BACOLOD City – A negative RT-PCR result is no longer required for travelers to Negros Oriental but is required in the capital Dumaguete City.
In his latest Executive Order, Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo said that while travelers will no longer be required to have a negative result on RT-PCR tests (in compliance with the NIATF uniform travel protocols for land, air and sea) they will be subjected to swab testing if they manifest signs and symptoms of influenza-like illnesses.
Degamo also required travelers to coordinate with the local government units of their destination pending institutionalization of the Safe, Swift and Smart Passage (S-Pass) Travel Management System, also in accordance with NIATF Resolution 101.
He also stressed that border control remains in effect.
On the other hand, Dumaguete City-bound local travelers are still required to present a negative RT-PCR swab test result and a certificate of acceptance, City Tourism officer Jacqueline Antonio said.
Antonio said that Dumaguete City Mayor Felipe Remollo had issued a directive that they would continue to implement the existing travel protocols.
Incoming travelers must still register at www.registerdumaguete.com and submit their negative swab test result; their acceptance certificate will be emailed to them within 24 hours.
Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson also issued Executive Order Number 21-18 on March 13 adopting NIATF Resolution No. 101, which basically opens the province to other areas of the Philippines.
However, travelers to Negros Occidental should comply with the following requirements: negative RT-PCR test result, 72 hours prior to their arrival in the province, securing a S-Pass Permit and StaySafe.PH application.
This also includes travelers from Negros Oriental, Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said Friday.
But the negative RT- PCR test result is not a requirement for those travelling within Region 6, Lacson’s EO stated.
The executive order issued also stated that airports, seaports, and terminals within Negros Occidental shall be open to the public and shall allow private and public vehicles to transport passengers – local government units are no longer required to pick up inbound passengers.
Lacson also said that the provincial government will offer voluntary swabbing or voluntary swabbing and quarantine to inbound passengers provided they bear the costs and that there will be no more facility quarantine upon arrival in Negros Occidental.
Travelers who do not comply with the requirements shall not be allowed to board or travel to Negros Occidental, he added.
Inbound passengers shall only undergo seven days of home quarantine upon arrival at their destination.
