ALL travelers from National Capital Region (NCR) and “high-risk” areas have to undergo swab testing for coronavirus disease (Covid-19) before they could enter Tacloban City, Mayor Alfred Romualdez said on Monday, April 5, 2021.
“We will require now swabbing or antigen test before they return. We don’t want to be an additional burden to the national government,” said Romualdez.
He added that the travel protocol is in response to the new Covid-19 variants spreading in certain parts of the country.
“We are asking everyone to report the people who come home from Manila so we can monitor what is happening, para dire tayo mabulaga. If we protect ourselves, we protect everyone in the (Eastern Visayas) region,” Romualdez added.
The swab testing will be required from individuals coming from Quezon City, Caloocan, Las Pinas, Makati, Malabon, Mandaluyong, Marikina, Muntinlupa, Navotas, Paranaque, Pasay, Pasig, San Juan, Taguig, Valenzuela, Manila, Pateros, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal.
Returning Taclobanon residents (RTRs), authorized persons outside residence (Apor), and transients or visitors, who intend to travel by land, air or sea from high-risk regions for Tacloban, are still required to register on the www.baliktacloban.tacloban.gov.ph website or may contact 0920-900-0911 or 0977-808-0911 for other concerns.
Upon registration, the traveler shall submit the result of his real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test that should be administered within three days or 72 hours or from the travel schedule, along with other documentary requirements.
For Apor, whether government or private workers, they are required to submit an office/company identification card (ID) and office travel order with itinerary in Tacloban City or any equivalent document.
For RTRs, they are going to submit a government ID and certificate of live birth for infants or children without valid ID; in case of returning overseas Filipino, they must submit a government-issued ID and Bureau of Quarantine certification.
For transient or visitors, they have to submit a government-issued ID.
“Within two working days from the submission of the complete requirements...an Acceptance Certificate with an imprinted Tacloban City SCAN QR Code shall be issued to the registered traveler, which document shall be presented upon arrival,” the city government said.
Travelers can also download the Tacloban City Safe City mobile device application to register.