NEW arrivals, such as locally stranded individuals (LSIs) and returning overseas Filipino workers (ROFs), will no longer need to be brought to the city isolation unit (CIU) in Cagayan de Oro, Mayor Oscar Moreno said Wednesday, December 30.

"Dili na nato i-obligar nga dal-on nato sila sa CIU but naa gihapo'y screening didto sa airport pero kung gusto nila nga magpa quarantine, atong dawaton pero dili na sila obligado unless naay symptoms," Moreno said.

"Mao gihapon ang procedure sa pantalan," he added.

The mayor said LSIs and ROFs who were found to be symptomatic will have to be isolated and tested for coronavirus disease (Covid-19).

From June 17 to December 29, the City Health Office recorded a total of 7,426 ROFs/LSIs, 400 of which tested positive for coronavirus.

Acting City Health Officer Dr. Lorraine Nery said the positivity rate of new arrivals continues to decline, from 7 percent to 5.38 percent.

Moreno said that with the newly arrived individuals now not obligated to undergo quarantine in the city's isolation unit, he is hoping that this will decrease the number of clients in CIUs, as well as reduce the City Government's engagement with hotels.

"Gaandam ta, set aside tag pundo para sa bakuna. Hopefully, we will generate some savings here para ato dayong i-reserve para sa bakuna, and then naa pa nang EREID facility," Moreno said.

As of December 29, the city has registered 51 newly arrived individuals (32 in airport and 19 in seaport), 36 of whom are LSIs, two are ROFs and 13 are authorized persons outside residence (Apors).