- CHERYL G. CRUZ
Negros Occidental will restrict travel from Metro Manila and other areas under Alert Level 3 starting Jan. 9 as a preventive health and safety protocol to curb the possible increase of COVID-19 cases in the province.
In Executive Order No. 21-61-A, series of 2022, signed by Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson Jan. 6, there will be one flight per airline company per day for Manila-Bacolod-Manila flights, from the current two to three trips per company each day.
Airline companies may avail of one additional inbound Manila to Bacolod cargo-only flight and one outbound Bacolod to Manila passenger flight per day, the EO said.
There will also be one flight per airline company per week for Cebu-Bacolod-Cebu flights. “All modes of transportation shall be allowed to bring passengers to and from the airport.”
Sea travel between areas classified under Alert Level 3 status and Negros Occidental is also restricted.
Sea vessels shall be allowed to admit passengers up to 50 percent of its passenger capacity limit. All modes of transportation shall be allowed to bring passengers to and from the seaport, and minimum public health standards prescribed by the Department of Health shall be strictly enforced.
Individuals coming from Alert Level 3 areas, regardless of vaccination status, shall be required to present an electronic or printed copy of the Approved Travel Coordination Permit, issued by the Safe, Swift, and Smart Passage (S-PaSS) travel management system approved by local government unit of destination and/or the provincial government of Negros Occidental, upon the submission of the vaccination card or certificate, and a negative RT-PCR test result prior to travel.
The RT-PCR shall be valid for 72 hours from date of swab sample extraction, and must be conducted and issued by a molecular laboratory accredited by the Department of Health.
Government officials or personnel on official business shall be allowed unimpeded travel to their place of destination, provided that they present valid IDs issued by their respective government agency, original or certified true copy of travel authority/order issued by the department secretary or designated official, pass the symptom screening at the port upon arrival or upon boarding, and strictly comply with the minimum public health standards.
Travelers with fake documents shall face criminal sanctions under existing laws and regulations, will be quarantined for 14 days at a provincial healing facility, and undergo an RT-PCR test, at his or her expense, on the 5th day from arrival, Lacson said.
He ordered the Provincial Health Office to conduct Rapid Antigen Testing on all incoming passengers at the airport and seaports of the province during the interim period, or from Jan. 7, until the effectivity of the EO on 12 a.m. of Jan. 9.
The Philippine National Police, Coast Guard, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and the Provincial Incident Management Team were also directed to heighten the security and patrol of the provincial borders to ensure compliance with the EO. | CGC
