Negative RT-PCR test results will again be required from fully-vaccinated Bacolodnons, while leisure travel from Panay Island is prohibited, as the city acts to prevent the possible entry of the deadlier Delta variant of COVID-19.
“Fully vaccinated Bacolod residents shall, again, revert to presenting a negative RT-PCR test result obtained within 72 hours prior to and upon arrival in Bacolod City, among other usual documents required,” Mayor Evelio Leonardia said in Executive Order 39-A, series of 2021, he issued on Saturday, July 17.
The EO amended Section 12 (a) (2) of EO 39-2021, which allowed fully-vaccinated Bacolod residents to present vaccination cards issued by the Bacolod Emergency Operations Center more than 14 days before arrival at the Bacolod-Silay Airport, in lieu of the negative RT-PCR test result.
Leonardia stressed that the new EO aims to adequately protect Bacolodnons from the deadlier Delta variant, after health authorities in Region 6 issued public warnings and information that two persons in Antique tested positive for the COVID Delta variant.
The EO, which takes effect immediately, also prohibits leisure travel from Panay Island to Bacolod as part of border control deterrent measures against the Delta variant transmissions.
“Until further advice, only Authorized Persons Outside Residences shall be allowed to travel from Panay Island into or out of Bacolod City,” it added.
The travel of non-APORs from Enhanced Community Quarantine and Modified ECQ areas in Panay Island into Bacolod shall not be allowed.
Those from GCQ and MGCQ areas in Panay may be allowed into Bacolod subject to the presentation of negative RT-PCR test result within 72 hours prior to and upon arrival in Bacolod, online BaCTrac registration, online health declaration, S-Pass, travel coordination permit, and valid personal ID.
The movement of all types of goods and cargoes between Panay Island and Bacolod City shall remain unhampered, the EO stressed.
On Friday, Malacañang placed the city and province of Iloilo under ECQ until July 31, while Antique is under the General Community Quarantine status with heightened restrictions, also until the end of this month.
Bacolod City, Capiz, and Aklan are under GCQ with heightened restrictions until July 22, while Negros Occidental retained its GCQ classification until July 31. — NND
