TRAVELERS coming from outside Cebu Province will have to comply with the new travel requirements set by the Cebu City Government starting Nov. 20, 2020.
Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella issued Executive Order No. 105 or "The Guidelines for Travel into the City of Cebu" on Nov. 16 which will apply for travels via seaport and airport.
Travelers within Cebu Province need not secure the documents required in the executive order in coming to Cebu City.
EO 105 mandates that no person shall be allowed entry in Cebu City without presenting an Authority to Enter (ATE).
The ATE will be issued upon submission of requirements to the City Hall portal at www.mics.cebucity.gov.ph/inboundapplication.
For medical purposes, the inbound person shall submit reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) negative results which should be undertaken three days from the date of travel; medical certificate indicating medical condition or referral note from the hospital or doctor or confirmed medical admission or laboratory request by the attending physician; and valid identification card.
For government employees on official business, they have to submit a medical certificate indicating they are not exhibiting any symptoms of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) or influenza-like illness for the seven days before their travel; travel order or mission order issued by the head of the agency; and government agency ID.
For private authorized persons outside of residence (Apor), they have to submit RT-PCR negative test results which must be undertaken three days prior to the travel date; work order from the company indicating the purpose of travel; company ID; travel itinerary in Cebu City for the duration of stay in the city or for the first 10 days or shorter; roundtrip ticket or travel details; and confirmed booking of accommodation in Cebu City.
For those who have appointments for a visa or at the embassy, RT-PCR negative test results which must be undertaken three days prior to the travel date must be secured; a copy of confirmed visa or embassy appointment; valid ID or passport; and roundtrip ticket or travel details.
The locally stranded individuals (LSIs) have to secure RT-PCR negative test results which must also be undertaken three days prior to the travel date; letter of coordination from the barangay in Cebu City; and JTF Covid-19 Shield travel authority.
For those who will be transferring cadaver, the inbound companions or escorts or the one bringing the cadaver have to secure a death certificate and should be non-Covid-19 death; RT-PCR negative test results taken three days prior to the travel date, and travel authority issued by the JTF Covid-19 Shield.
Non-essential travel like for leisure, vacation, and others, inbound individuals have to secure RT-PCR negative test results taken three days prior to the travel date; travel itinerary for their duration of stay in Cebu City or for the first 10 days or shorter; travel authority issued by the JTF Covid-19 Shield; confirmed booking of accommodation; and roundtrip ticket or travel details.
Under Section 2 of the EO, the guidelines are applicable to persons who wish to enter Cebu City but do not cover returning or repatriated overseas Filipino workers and returning overseas Filipinos.
All the inbound individuals mentioned must report to the receiving barangay for monitoring purposes.
Private Apors, non-essential travelers, and LSIs should undergo home or self-quarantine within 10 days from the date of arrival and would only be released upon recommendation of a licensed medical doctor.
If Covid-19 symptoms occur in the duration of the quarantine period, the concerned individuals should undergo RT-PCR test and should continue doing self-quarantine.
If the test results would turn out positive, the patient will be brought to a quarantine facility or hospital.
For persons traveling to Cebu City in transit, the individuals will not be allowed to go out of the seaports or airport unless they will present a subsequent ticket for their intended destination.
For returning OFWs and returning overseas Filipinos, they must coordinate with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) or the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) prior to their arrival in Cebu City and their barangay of residence in the city.
The City came up with such measures to avoid any resurgence of the Covid-19 cases in the city.
As of Nov. 16, Cebu City has 278 active cases based on the data of the Department of Health (DOH) Central Visayas.
The total Covid-19 cases is now at 10,469 with 9,508 total recoveries.
Number of mortalities has reached 683. (JJL)