IATF eases cross-border protocol; No mandatory testing, quarantine

BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL BAÑAGA

The Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MBCCI) is backing the new uniformed travel protocols set by the National Inter Agency Task Force (NIATF).

Frank Carbon, MBCCI Chief Executive Officer, said the new protocols should have long been implemented in order for local businesses to start recovering following months of restrictions brought by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Carbon said it would be best if the local government units (LGUs) would be given the authorization to make their own respective regulations in order to further hasten the process.

The MBCCI is planning to release more plans in the coming days in order to further help the economy recover both for Bacolod City and for the whole province of Negros Occidental.

Earlier on Saturday, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque announced that the NIATF has allowed uniform travel protocols across all LGUs in order to ease quarantine and documentary requirements.

Under NIATF Resolution No. 101 travelers will no longer be compelled to go on quarantine unless they exhibit symptoms upon arriving at their destination.

Travelers are also no longer required to secure travel authorities, or health certificates.

However, LGUs are given the option of making COVID-19 testing as a requirement  prior to travel. Testing will be limited to RT-PCR test.

Authorized persons outside of residence (APORS) from national government agencies and their attached agencies, on the other hand, must provide their identification card, travel order, and travel itinerary.
They must likewise pass symptom-screening at the ports of entry and exit./DGB, WDJ