ILOILO City – This city is again enforcing stricter health protocols following the detection of the highly contagious Omicron variant of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Arevalo district.
Mayor Jerry Treñas’ Executive Order 001-2022 imposes the mandatory swabbing of all incoming travelers, including returning overseas Filipino workers, Authorized Persons Outside of Residence (APORs), and returning residents as well as non-essential travelers and tourists effective Jan. 7.
Tourists, non-essential travelers, APOR (staying more than 24 hours) and returning residents from outside Western Visayas including minors from five to 17 years old (minors four years old and below are exempted), prior to travel must obtain an approved S-Pass Travel Coordination Permit by uploading the following documents for review by Iloilo City COVID19 Operation Center (OpCen):
* Valid Government Issued Identification Card (ID)
* Travel Itinerary or Ticket issued by Airline or Seacraft
* VaxCert from VaxCert.doh.gov.ph or Vaccination Card Issued by LGU
* Employment Certificate or Travel Order from Company (APOR only)
* If local resident, Certificate of Residency from barangay in Iloilo City
* If tourist/non-essential traveller, confirmed hotel booking.
On the day of travel, they must present approved S-Pass travel coordination permit upon check-in with airline or seacraft together with their VaxCert or Vaccination Card if vaccinated.
Upon arrival, the fully vaccinated must proceed to La Paz Plaza Gym for the mandatory and free reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test. After the swab test, the traveler must stay in hotel / home quarantine / quarantine facility until release of his/her negative RT-PCR result.
For the partially vaccinated/unvaccinated, they must proceed to the hotel/home quarantine /quarantine facility for mandatory quarantine for three days. Then they must proceed to La Paz Plaza for free RT-PCR test on the third day. They must return to quarantine until release of negative RTPCR result.
Meanwhile, for travelers from Negros Island, those fully vaccinated must present vaccination certificate from VaxCert.doh.gov.ph or vaccination card issued by local government unit. They can then proceed to itinerary upon arrival.
For partially vaccinated and unvaccinated, they must present negative RT-PCR result issued no more than 72 hours prior to travel then can proceed to itinerary upon arrival. They have also option, upon arrival in Iloilo City, to submit to free RTPCR test in La Paz Plaza Gym then proceed to hotel/home quarantine/quarantine facility until release of negative RTPCR result.
For APOR (staying less than 24 hours), prior to travel, they must obtain an approved S-Pass Travel Coordination Permit by uploading the required documents for review by Iloilo City COVID19 Operation Center (OpCen).
These requirements include valid government issued Identification Card (ID), travel Itinerary or ticket issued by airline or seacraft with arrival and departure not more 24 hours, and employment Certificate or Travel Order from company.
On the day of travel, they must present approved S-Pass Travel Coordination Permit upon check-in with airline or seacraft together with VaxCert or vaccination card if vaccinated then proceed to itinerary upon arrival.
Meanwhile, in amended EO No. 001-A-2022, individuals below 12 years old and vulnerable population are not allowed in malls and shopping centers. They are only allowed access to obtain essential goods and services.
Also, public consumption of liquor is prohibited while sale of alcohol are allowed but only from 8a.m. to 6p.m.
Moreover, staring today for seven days, karaoke bars, clubs and concert halls will be temporarily closed.
“The mayor also decided, with the recommendation of the COVID team nga i-close nalang naton anay ang aton nga mga bars and clubs as we all know nga indi gid ma-strictly enforce dira ang aton mga minimum health protocols, most especially with physical distancing as this would really aggregate persons in a closed area,” said Atty. Fydah Marie Sabando of the City Mayor’s Office.
Also prohibited establishments are casinos, horse racing, lottery and betting shops and other gaming establishment as well as funfairs/peryas or kid amusement industries.
Restobars, however, are allowed to operate in so far as food service is concerned.
Establishments with 100 percent of its personnel and staff and reporting on-site and serving are fully vaccinated and with Safety Seal Certification are allowed to operate 80 percent for indoor dining and 100 percent of al fresco dining.
Establishments with safety seal only are allowed 50 percent of indoor dining and 70 percent for al fresco dining.
Meantime, establishments whose personnel and staff reporting on-site are 100 percent fully vaccinate but without safety seal are allowed to operate at 30 percent capacity for indoor dining and 50 percent for al fresco dining while establishment without safety seal and whose personnel and staff reporting on-site are not fully vaccinated are allowed 20 percent indoor dining and 50 percent al fresco dining.
On the other hand, 50 percent indoor venue capacity for fully vaccinated and below 18 years old even unvaccinated and 70 percent outdoor venue capacity are allowed in the following -MICE, venues for social events, tourists attractions, recreational activities, cinemas and movie houses (highly encouraged to allow entry only to fully vaccinated moviegoers and entry of minors aged below 12 years is temporarily disallowed), face-to-face classes, religious gatherings, licensure or entrance exmas, food preparation establishments, personal care establishments and contact sports.
Organizers of all contact sports activities must secure a permit from the Iloilo City Sports Coordination Team subject to the approval or recommendation of the City Health office to holding event./PN
