ILOILO City – Locally stranded individuals (LSIs) and returning overseas Filipinos (ROFs) bound for this southern city are no longer required to undergo reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test for possible coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection.
Mayor Jerry Treñas issued Executive Order (EO) No. 165 over the weekend. It foregoes the mandatory swabbing of people from areas classified as “low-risk” by the national government’s Inter-Agency Task Force.
Treñas’ directive likewise laid down guidelines to manage the arrival of repatriates effective Oct. 10.
According to the mayor, the city’s COVID Team adopted the letter-review of the Department of Interior and Local Government relative to the proposed protocols governing the acceptance of LSIs, ROFs and Authorized Persons Outside Residence (APORs).
“In making such decision, the current circumstances and limitation on the resources of the city have also been considered,” Treñas said.
THE GUIDELINES
Under the EO, returning people must have coordination with and acceptance of the local chief executive through the Iloilo City Emergency Operations Center (EOC).
Notice of coordination and acceptance must be obtained from the EOC.
Meanwhile, LSIs and ROFs must indicate through the “Notice of Coordination” whether they will be fetched by private transportation or if such arrangement will not be feasible.
They must closely coordinate their transportation arrangements with the city’s EOC.
All ROFs and LSIs, however, are still mandated to observe the mandatory 14-day quarantine.
They have the option of submitting themselves to a 14-day quarantine either at the city’s isolation facilities or at home. If they choose the latter, they will be monitored by the Barangay Health Emergency Response Team (BHERT).
Food and supplies needed by the LSIs and ROFs while in quarantine facilities shall be their families’ responsibility.
While RT-PCR test is no longer required, LSIs and ROFs may voluntarily submit themselves to swabbing at their own expense.
If the result of the test is negative, they shall be deemed as having completed the 14-day quarantine. Those who opted to be quarantined in the facilities will be given clearance of release.
For APORs, on the other hand, RT-PCR test or 14-day quarantine will no longer be mandatory for those staying in the city for less than seven days.
However, they must indicate to the EOC their temporary place of abode within the city.
For APORs staying here for more than seven days, they must undergo strict 14-day quarantine in their place of abode or submit themselves for RT-PCR testing.
They will also be deemed as having completed the 14-day quarantine if the result of the test is negative.
“There is a compelling need to manage the arrival of passengers traveling to Iloilo City to ensure that the spread of COVID-19 is contained while preventing further strain to the City’s resources and health care system,” read part of Treñas executive order.
Violators of his directive will face appropriate administrative and/or criminal charges.
Maritime and aviation sectors in public transportation for the carriage of passengers shall be allowed to accept passengers traveling to the city subjected to specific guidelines.
Transport companies shall properly coordinate with the EOC relevant travel information like date and time of travel/flight/trip and itinerary.
They will also be required to submit passenger manifest to the EOC containing the complete list of passengers for every trip./PN
