Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said he is issuing an executive order to again require passengers to be swabbed for COVID-19 tests on entry into Negros Occidental and to be quarantined until their negative results are released.
Lacson said the decision to revert to the original protocol of the province was discussed at a Provincial Incident Management Team meeting Monday, March 29, amid the rising number of COVID-19 cases.
“We discussed about the COVID situation and that we should go back to swab upon entry to the province. I will issue a new EO to this effect,” he said.
The governor in compliance with National Inter-Agency Task Force Resolution 101 on March 15 had set aside the previous protocol of the province and allowed incoming passengers to be tested for COVID-19 from their point of origin.
However, it was noted that COVID cases in the province have increased and that some passengers submitted fake test results in order to board aircrafts and vessels bound for Negros Occidental, Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said.
Lacson said they will explain to the NIATF why there is a need to revert back to the original protocol of the province on incoming passengers.
His EO will be subject to review by the NIATF, he added.
Negros Occidental has 12 new COVID-19 cases and 394 active cases, the Department of Health reported Monday.
A Provincial Incident Management Team report Sunday said Negros Occidental had 305 active cases with the highest number in La Carlota City at 37, followed by Cadiz City with 31 and San Carlos City – 27.
Candoni, Moises Padilla and Salvador Benedicto had no COVID-19 active cases, the report said.*