BORACAY – The antigen testing requirement for returning workers here has been suspended.
Last month as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases spiked, the local government of Malay added testing for Aklanon or non-Malaynon workers in the hope it would detect possible infections upon the arrival of workers.
But for now, according to acting town mayor Floribar Bautista, Aklanon workers, regardless of vaccination status, are allowed to enter the island.
The temporary suspension of antigen testing for Aklanon workers took effect two weeks ago when the province was placed under the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ).
“Dahil ang ibang Aklanon workers na fully vaccinated, may second doses na, pansamantala nating hindi itinuloy ang antigen testing, at may mga establishments na pinababalik ang mga workers, hindi na muna kailangan ang antigen test,” the acting mayor stressed on September 2.
Under Executive Order 031 issued on July 31, 2021, Aklanon workers are allowed to go out of Malay, Aklan for at least 12 hours without submitting an antigen test result, otherwise, they will undergo the antigen screening.
Only negative antigen tests taken from accredited clinics in mainland Malay are accepted for screening purposes. Aklanon workers tested positive for antigen testing will be subjected to confirmatory reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test.
Malaynon workers and other workers with valid RT-PCR test results, however, are exempted from antigen testing.
In a related news, Bautista said 78 percent of eligible Boracay workers have already received their first dose of vaccines against COVID-19.
“Walang bisita sa ngayon ang mga accommodation establishments sa Boracay dahil sa restrictions ng MECQ,” he added./PN
