Cebu City retains swab test requirement, except for Apor

SunStar File
SunStar File

INBOUND domestic travelers to Cebu City will still need to present negative swab test results, although they will no longer be required to undergo quarantine for 14 days.

Only those authorized persons outside of residence (Apor) are exempted from the RT-PCR requirement.

Other requirements, such as the medical certificate and travel authority from the Joint Task Force Covid Shield, have been dropped in compliance with the decision of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases to ease travel requirements.

The City Governments of Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu, on the other hand, have dropped the swab test, medical certificate and travel authority requirements.

But Mandaue City still requires inbound domestic travelers to secure a certificate of confirmation, which requires the submission of some documents.

Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella, in a press conference on Friday, March 5, 2021, said the new travel protocol covers inbound travelers, including tourists, Apor and locally stranded individuals (LSIs).

“Wala na’y travel authority, kana na lang RT-PCR (There’s no longer any need for a travel authority, just the RT-PCR). Once they have that, okay na (they can enter),” said Labella.

“Release na sila, wala nang quarantine (There will be no need for quarantine). If they (are) found positive, of course, they will have to undergo quarantine,” he added.

He said he merely heeded the recommendation of health officials. He pointed out that the IATF had given local government units the option to retain the RT-PCR test requirement.

Labella said he might reconsider the RT-PCR requirement when coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases in Cebu City decline.

As of March 5, however, there were still 3,453 active cases in Cebu City.

Councilor Joel Garganera, deputy chief implementer of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), said the mayor is set to bring back the booth at the ports to check the requirements of inbound travelers.

Labella asked for patience, saying the retention of the swab test requirement is aimed at keeping the Covid-19 situation in the city in check.

The easing of the other travel requirements is seen to boost the city’s economy.

At the same time, we should allow the business sector to sustain their commercial endeavors because we really have to bring back the economy to a better condition,” he said.

Mandaue City

Lapu-Lapu City

(JJL / KFD)

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