Negative RT-PCR test required of travellers to Bacolod City

By Dolly Yasa

 

BACOLOD City – Mayor Evelio Leonardia issued more stringent travel guidelines to further curb the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19.

Leonardia issued Executive Order No. 1 series of 2021 on Friday night establishing the consolidated guidelines for travel into the city which took effect immediately.

The executive order mandated negative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test results, BaCTrac identification card, and online health declaration forms are now required of all travellers to Bacolod.

Leonardia said there is a need for the city government to come up with proper guidelines on essential and non-essential travel into the City to ensure their unhampered movement, while also maintaining public safety and health standards to control the spread and transmission of Covid-19.

No person shall be allowed entry into the city without presenting a Notice of Coordination (NOC) that shall be issued upon the submission/upload of various documents.

The E.O. said that for locally stranded individuals, the requirements include negative result of RT-PCR test taken within three days before the date of travel, letter of coordination from the office of Councilor Cindy Rojas that may be requested through email at spmcindyrojas@yahoo.com or 034-4353607.

LSIs from Cebu may contact 0905-2238081. They must present Joint Task Force COVID-19 Shield Travel Authority with medical certificate and barangay clearance from the LGU of origin, BaCTrac identification card, and online health declaration form.

For non-essential travel like leisure or vacation, the required documents include negative RT-PCR results with tests taken within three days before the date of travel, travel itinerary for the duration of stay in Bacolod City or for the first 10 days, whichever is shorter; Joint Task Force COVID-19 Shield Travel Authority, confirmed booking of accommodation in Bacolod, roundtrip ticket/travel details, BaCTrac ID card, and online health declaration form.

For returning residents arriving from countries with travel restrictions due to the new COVID strain, Leonardia said they should submit negative result of RT-PCR test taken within three days before the date of travel, certificate of completion of the mandatory 14-day quarantine in Manila, additional seven days home quarantine upon arrival in Bacolod, BaCTrac ID card, and online health declaration form.

Similarly, due to the recent spike of COVID-19 in various countries, strict documentary requirements will also be imposed on individuals from such countries identified by the WHO or the Philippine government, the E.O. further stated.

On the other hand, persons travelling in transit in Bacolod City, except the APORS, shall not be allowed to go out of the seaport/airport, and are required to present a subsequent ticket for their intended destination, the EO also said.

“The city shall recognize and permit the travel of APORs to Bacolod provided that the health and safety protocols are observed.” the mayor said,

Leonardia said that in November and December 2020 during the Modified General Community Quarantine, the number of positive cases in Bacolod City drastically reduced and only less than 50 active cases have been reported in the City.

Based on data collected by the Emergency Operations Center, 29 persons who have entered Bacolod have tested positive for COVID in the month of October up to present.

“While the city is experiencing the flattening of the curves of infected citizens within its territory, such positive outlook may be endangered by travelers coming from the outside,” he added.