BACOLOD City – Negative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test results, Bacolod City Contact Tracing (BaC-Trac) identification card and online health declaration form. These requirements are now mandatory for travelers who wish to enter this city.
In his first executive order this year, Mayor Evelio Leonardia laid down consolidated guidelines on essential and non-essential travel “to ensure unhampered movement while also maintaining public safety and health standards to avert the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).”
Under Executive Order No. 1, series of 2021, no person shall be allowed entry into the city without presenting a notice of coordination that shall be issued upon the submission/upload of various documents.
LSI REQUIREMENTS
For locally stranded individuals (LSIs), these include the negative result of RT-PCR test taken within three days before the date of travel and a 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 for the 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, required documents include the 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, round trip ticket/travel details, BaCTrac ID card, and online health declaration form.
RETURNING RESIDENTS
For returning residents from countries with travel restrictions due to the new COVID strain, 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 upon returning overseas Filipinos originating from such countries identified by the World Health Organization or the national government.
Persons travelling in transit in Bacolod City, except for authorized persons outside of residence or 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 city shall recognize and permit the travel of APORs to Bacolod provided that the health and safety protocols are observed.
Leonardia said that in November and December 2020 during the modified general community quarantine, the number of positive cases dropped and only less than 50 active cases have been reported.
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./PN
