Mayor moves to avert ‘imported’ contamination

By Dolly Yasa

 

Bacolod City- Mayor Evelio Leonardia issued Executive Order No. 44 establishing protocols for locally stranded individuals (LSI), repatriated overseas Filipino workers (OFW) and returning residents to avert imported contamination of the coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19.

Leonardia said the order also aims to monitor the condition of returning residents, both LSIs and OFWs.

The EO will also ensure the orderly arrival and homecoming of OFWs and LSIs without compromising health protocols for themselves, their families and the general public during the period of modified general community quarantine.

“The surge in the numbers of OFWs and Bacolod City residents stranded in other places desiring to come home can pose health risks and societal concerns. Because circumstances may vary from case to case, the entry of returning residents may be allowed, in the meantime, only for medical, humanitarian, emergencies and special/exceptional considerations,” Leonardia said.

All OFWs and LSIs arriving from Manila, Cebu and other high-risk areas are required to undergo mandatory Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test as soon as they arrive in the city.

After the RT-PCR testing, all LSIs should be endorsed to the barangay captains or the Barangay Health Emergency Response Team (BHERT) for the mandatory home quarantine until they are cleared of the virus.

But the LSI may opt to undergo quarantine in a city-designated facility until such time that the RT-PCR test comes out negative.

Leonardia also said a printed notice will be installed outside the houses of LSIs and OFWs indicating that a family or household member is under quarantine.

All passengers arriving by sea transport or air travel from other LGUs are required to fill out a health declaration form (HDF) which will be provided by the shipping or airline company upon check-in of the passengers from the port of origin.

Passengers must be checked by thermal scanners at the airport and ferry terminals before their departure from their point of origin and upon arrival in the local terminals.

The Philippine National Police, Philippine Coast Guard, Maritime Industry Authority, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, and the Philippine Army will assist in the enforcement of the executive order.

As of this writing, Bacolod has 31 COVID-19 cases.