By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga
The provincial government of Negros Occidental is implementing stricter travel protocols for inbound travel as part of efforts to mitigate the threat posed by the COVID-19 Delta variant.
In Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson’s Executive Order (EO) No. 21-38 Series of 2021 issued yesterday afternoon, inbound travelers are again required to present a negative RT-PCR test result 72-hours prior to travel.
They should also secure an electronic or printed copy of the Approved Travel Coordination Permit issued by the S-PaSS system and show proof that they have downloaded and registered with the StaySafe.ph application for contact tracing.
The EO added that travelers who do not comply with the requirements shall be denied entry into the province.
Meanwhile, Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said the proposal presented by airline companies to start introducing flights for vaccinated individuals has been put on hold until the threat of the Delta variant is addressed.
“It’s inching closer and closer to the province,” Diaz said. “As much as possible we don’t want it to enter, or if it does enter we must immediately isolate it.”
He also commented that there should be no splitting of classifications between locally stranded individuals (LSIs) or authorized persons outside of residence (APORs), pointing out APORs should also be included in presenting travel requirements.
“They’re not immune to the virus, there should be no splitting of classifications,” he added./DGB, WDJ