DESPITE the large number of vaccination turnout in the country, the Davao City Government continues to implement the mandatory reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test result for air travelers entering the city.
'City Tourism and Operations Office (CTOO) Chief Generose Tecson said the “Test Before Travel” ordinance, which requires a negative RT-PCR result taken not more than 72 hours, is still required for all travellers coming in Davao City as this remains in effect under the general community quarantine (GCQ).
Tecson said the city strictly enforces the requirement for a negative RT-PCR test for all arriving passengers at the Francisco Bangoy International Airport (Davao International Airport.
She also said the city is still waiting for the guidelines coming from the national government with regards to the planned scrapping of the mandatory testing for fully vaccinated individuals traveling via air.
"I know they are working on the VaxCert[PH]. That's what we're waiting for," the official said.
The VaxCertPH program is a portal for the issuance of Covid-19 vaccination certificates to fully inoculated overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and Filipinos going abroad.
The platform can be used for international and domestic travels in line with the guidelines of the World Health Organization (WHO) on digital documentation of Covid-19 certificates.
Meanwhile, Tecson said all passengers on repatriation or special commercial flights to Davao City must present negative test results taken not more than 72 hours prior to departure from the airport of origin and a Safe Davao QR Code.
International passengers arriving at the Davao Airport and who test positive for Covid-19 after the required/repeat RT-PCR testing, will be isolated at the VAN City, a government facility, as per Davao City Task Force Covid-19 Resolution No. 38.
OFWs are required to register with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (Owwa) upon arrival for hotel assignment.
International passengers and returning Filipinos or non-OFWs arriving at Davao Airport, on their account, would need a reservation from a hotel accredited by the Bureau of Quarantine/ Department of Tourism.
They are also required to undergo quarantine for 15 days if they come from a Restricted or Red List country; 10 days from Non- restricted or Yellow List country; 10 days from Green List country; and, eight days if fully vaccinated with authenticated vaccination card as proof.
Reservations for swabbing shall also be done at the airport. (RGL)