Twenty-one travelers tested positive for COVID-19 on arrival in Bacolod City, Em Ang, Bacolod Emergency Operations Center executive director, said Tuesday, January 11.
The 21 were tested over a period of three days from Friday to Monday, she said.
Negros Occidental and Bacolod City have been subjecting incoming travelers to rapid-antigen tests on arrival as a temporary measure against the spread of COVID-19.
However, starting Tuesday all incoming passengers from Alert Level 3 areas were required to submit negative RT-PCR test results prior to arrival in Bacolod City and Negros Occidental.
Ang said the Bacolod City government has centralized the processing and approval of the S-PASS of incoming passengers who must submit negative RT-PCR test results obtained within 72 hours prior to arrival.
She said the Bacolod Sangguniang Panlugsod is also set to pass a resolution asking the National Inter-Agency Task Force not to exempt Authorized Persons Outside of Residence from submitting negative RT-PCR test results on entering the city.
They travel a lot are exposed so there is no reason why they should be exempted, Ang said.
Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said they are now also requiring travelers entering Negros Occidental to submit negative RT-PCR test results prior to arrival in the province.
The rapid antigen tests on arrival were only a stopgap measure, he said.
Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson, in a meeting with the Provincial School Board Tuesday, also said the holding of face-to-face classes will remain on hold with COVID-19 cases rising.*