By J. Jala and Marisol Bo-oc | 02:33 PM March 04, 2021
Returning residents and visitors are still required to provide a negative swab results within 72 hours before being allowed entry in Bohol province.
In his Executive Order No. 17 Series of 2021, Bohol Governor Arthur Yap still required the pricey negative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction or (RT-PCR) test result for returning residents, which includes locally stranded individuals and residents returning from other places in the country for business and leisure, overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) , authorized persons outside of residence (APOR) which include government officials and non-APORs, including domestic and foreign tourists or visiting investors and businessmen.
All other requirements, such as repeat testing, medical certificate and Philippine National Police Task Force COVID-19 shield travel authority, will no longer be required pursuant to the IATF’s latest guidelines.
However, LGU Confirmation is still required.
For domestic and international tourists, a traveler may opt for testing upon arrival, but they must coordinate with the receiving Local Government Unit (LGU) which will facilitate the RT-PCR Testing. The traveler will be required to wait for the result of the RT-PCR Test in a government quarantine facility or an accredited private quarantine facility.
Upon yielding a negative RT-PCR Test, they will no longer be required to undergo repeat testing and further quarantine.
The RT-PCR Saliva Test shall be honored and recognized provided that the test shall yield a negative result.
Last week, Malacañang announced that the IATF approved the uniform travel protocols for local government units.
Under the protocols specified in IATF Resolution No. 101, travelers need not undergo COVID-19 testing, unless required by the LGU prior to travel. Such testing will be RT-PCR test only, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in a briefing.
