STRICT WATCH. Returning residents and overseas workers arriving at the Tacloban Airport in this undated photo. The city government here on Wednesday (April 7, 2021) asked village officials to step up the monitoring of travelers arriving in their communities due to rising coronavirus cases in Metro Manila and other areas. (Photo courtesy of Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines)
TACLOBAN CITY - Concerned with the surge of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases in the National Capital Region (NCR) and its four neighboring provinces, the city government here has asked village officials to step up the monitoring of travelers arriving in their communities.
Mayor Alfred Romualdez asked village authorities in a meeting on Wednesday afternoon to coordinate and inform the city government of any returning individuals, specifically coming from the NCR Plus and other areas with high cases of Covid-19.
"Barangay (village) leaders are instructed to inform and coordinate with either the city health office (CHO), Barangay Affairs Office, or City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) any untoward findings with regards to returning residents or travelers that may have shown signs of carrying the dreaded virus," Romualdez said in a statement on Thursday.
They are also advised to let their residents (especially elderly and individuals with comorbidities), who need medical assistance to seek hospital treatment as early as possible.
"This is to ensure that they would be treated properly and avoid any possible spike of cases here," he added.
While the local government will be stricter in the implementation of entry protocols, the mayor called for serious public participation or else some parts of the city will be placed under movement restrictions.
On April 5, the local government has started to again require the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test for travelers outside the region before their trip.
Those coming to the city from outside Eastern Visayas are required to submit a negative test result done within three days before their entry.
The counting of days will start from the test date. Travelers may send the result together with the required documents at www.baliktacloban.tacloban.gov.ph.
Other documentary requirements include office identification (ID) card and official travel order for government and private workers; government-issued ID for adults and certificate of live birth for infants and children under the returning residents.
Returning Overseas Filipino workers are required to present a government-issued ID while transient or visitors will be asked to present Bureau of Quarantine Certification.
The city government will issue an acceptance certificate with an imprinted local QR code to every registered traveler.
This will be presented in the referral booths set up in terminals upon arrival.
If travelers are unable to provide the Covid-19 RT-PCR test result, they will undergo a swab test upon arrival in the city and will be quarantined while waiting for their results. (PNA)
