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Bacolod bans travel from Panay to halt Delta variant spread

Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia released an executive order Sunday, July 18, banning leisure travel between Bacolod City and Panay Island as a border control deterrent against the spread of the COVID-19 Delta variant, effective immediately.

Leonardia, in Executive Order 39-A, Series of 2021, also said fully vaccinated Bacolod residents will again be required to present negative RT-PCR test results obtained within 72 hours prior to and upon arrival in Bacolod City.

Leonardia said Department of Health (DOH) officials have warned of two COVID-19 Delta variant cases in Panay.

Dr. Adriano Suba-an, DOH 6 regional director, on Friday announced the detection of two local Delta (B.1.617.2) variant cases in Western Visayas, and that a close watch is up for clustering and surges of COVID-19 cases in the region to prevent its spread.

Hit by the Delta variant were an elderly couple from Antique who were hospitalized on May 27. The husband who was asymptomatic recovered but the wife died on May 31.

Contact tracing is underway to prevent the spread of the highly contagious variant, Dr. Glenn Alonsabe, DOH regional epidemiologist, said.

Bacolod City is currently under General Community Quarantine (GCQ) with heightened restrictions, while Iloilo province and city are under Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ).

Leonardia, in EO 39-A, said leisure travel from Panay Island into Bacolod City will not be allowed.

However, movement of all types of goods and cargoes on delivery vehicles, with only a maximum of five persons on board, will remain unhampered, he said.

Until further advice, only Authorized Persons Outside their Residences (or APORs), will be allowed to travel from Panay Island into or out of Bacolod City.

Travel of Non-APORs from ECQ and MECQ areas in Panay Island into Bacolod will not be allowed, he said.

Those from GCQ and MGCQ areas in Panay Island maybe allowed into Bacolod City subject to presentation of the following documents:

  • A negative RT-PCR test result which must have been obtained within 72 hours prior to and upon arrival in Bacolod City;
  • Online BaCTrac registration;
  • Online Health Declaration;
  • SPass;
  • Travel Coordination Permit; and
  • Valid personal ID

Executive Order No. 39, Series of 2021, which allows fully vaccinated Bacolod residents to present their vaccination cards issued by the Bacolod EOC more than fourteen 14 days before arrival at the Bacolod-Silay Airport in place of a negative RT-PCR test result, was also rendered inoperative until reinstated.

Negros Occidental Gov Eugenio Jose Lacson stressed the need to stay calm and to continue observe health protocols as a deterrent against infection.*

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