Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia is expected to issue an executive order lifting the requirement for negative RT-PCR test results for intra-zonal travel, Em Ang, Emergency Operations Center (EOC) executive director, said Tuesday, January 18.
They will only be required to submit vaccination cards showing that they have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, she said.
The EOC recommended that the negative RT-PCR test results no longer be required of travelers to Bacolod City from the rest of Western Visayas and Negros Oriental, she said.
Negros Island and Western Visayas are under COVID-19 Alert Level 3.
She said Leonardia was writing to Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson to inform him of the move.
Iloilo Mayor Jerry Treñas on Monday also said he was amenable to the request to lift the negative RT-PCR-test result requirement.
Operators of the Ocean Jet and Weesam Express fastcrafts are asking that fully vaccinated travelers plying the Bacolod-Iloilo-Bacolod routes no longer be required to present negative RT-PCR test results.
They are asking that travelers be required to only present their vaccination cards or a Department of Health (DOH) vaccination certificate.
Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated passengers will not be allowed to buy tickets and board a vessel unless they present negative RT-PCR test results taken within 72 hour prior to travel, they added.*