Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson has issued an executive order requiring all inbound travelers from areas under Alert Level 3 to present negative RT-PCR test results obtained within 72 hours prior to arrival in Negros Occidental starting Sunday, January 9.
Negros Occidental recorded an alarming 40 new COVID-19 cases and one death on Thursday, January 6, from 12 on Wednesday, Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said.
The negative RT-PCR results will be required regardless of the incoming passengers’ vaccination status, Lacson said in Executive Order 21-61-A, Series of 2022, issued Thursday.
The restrictions on air, sea and land travel are being imposed as a preventive health and safety protocol to curb the possible increase of COVID-19 cases in Negros Occidental, he said.
The governor also directed the Provincial Health Office to conduct rapid antigen testing on all incoming passengers at airports and seaports from Friday to Sunday, January 7 to 9.
Incoming passengers are also required to obtain an S-PASS, an electronic copy of their approved travel coordination permit issued by the Safe, Swift, Lacson said.
Exempted are government officials and personnel on official business as provided for under Inter-Agency Task Force Resolution No. 96-A, Series of 2021, he said.
Travelers with fake documents will face criminal sanctions, he said.
They will also be quarantined at a provincial healing facility and must undergo RT-PCR tests on the fifth day from arrival at their own expense.
Lacson said air travel between areas classified under Alert Level 3 and Negros Occidental will be restricted.
There will only be one Manila-Bacolod-Manila flight per airline per day, he said.
Airline companies may also avail of one additional inbound Manila to Bacolod cargo-only flight and one additional outbound Bacolod to Manila passenger flight per day.
One Cebu-Bacolod-Cebu flight per airline company will be allowed a week, he added.
Sea vessels will be allowed to admit passengers up to 50 percent of their capacity, he added.
All modes of transportation will be allowed to bring passengers to and from the airports and seaports, Lacson said.
Lacson also directed heightened patrols of provincial borders to ensure compliance with the executive order.
CASES INCREASING
Lacson, in an interview, said daily COVID-19 cases in Negros Occidental that were at single digits have increased to double digits.
Even those who are fully vaccinated can get infected and the Omicron virus is spreading very fast, Lacson said.
It seems the Omicron variant could already be in Negros with the active cases increasing, he said.
He called on the public to wear double masks and face shields as extra precautions against COVID-19.
MINORS MUST STAY HOME
The governor also reminded parents not to let their minor children out.
He said the Capitol Lagoon Park in Bacolod City will be closed to minors starting Friday to send the message to parents that they should again stay home.
“It is a very sad decision because I can see many kids enjoying the Capitol Lagoon Park,” he said.
“But the message is clear, we have to be vigilant, especially for these young kids,” he added
What is happening now was predicted by health experts even before the Christmas break, he said, of the increase in COVID-19 cases after the holidays.
There are no changes to the travel protocols between Negros Occidental and Oriental since both provinces remain under Alert Level 2, Lacson said.*
