‘Inbound travel ban’ but

No lockdown, says BIATF

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, Aug 6 (PIA) – This is no lockdown.

Bohol Inter Agency Task Force (BIATF) for the management of Emerging Infectious Disease Dr. Cesar Tomas Lopez clarified what most believe in the current quarantine measure Bohol is adopting through the governor’s Executive Order No 37, series of 2021.

Blast August 2, Bohol governor Arthur Yap issued Executive Order No 37, series of 2021, suspending anew air and sea travel of passengers bound for Bohol from August 6 to August 20, 2021.

The move is in attempt to contain the recent surge of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases in the country and in Bohol as well as to impede the entry of the new COVID variants of concern.

While in metro Manila and its neighboring regions is placed under the most restrictive Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) from August 6-20, and several other regions placed under different quarantine classifications based on the national IATF’s risk assessment, Bohol also joined in the fray with its inbound travel ban.

However, inter-town travel in Bohol remains unobstructed and travel form Bohol to other regions which would accept travelers still stands.

“Outbound travel from Bohol shall continue, subject to the quarantine protocols of the place of destination, section 1 paragraph 3 of the Executive Order said.

According to Dr. Lopez, the suspension of sea and air travel does not include air and sea travel of essential cargoes such as food supplies, medicines and goods that allow the local economy to continue running.

In fact, the EO provides that the two week suspension of sea and air travel to Bohol still allows for Authorized Persons Outside Residence (APOR)s to enter Bohol despite the declared inbound travel ban.

Not covered in the travel ban are health workers on official business, authorized government officials, persons traveling for medical and humanitarian reasons and returning Overseas Filipino Workers (ROFs).

Other than these persons, also excluded in the entry ban to Bohol are persons providing basic services and public utilities workers as well as bank personnel and other bank employees coming to Bohol to replenish cash funds and other supplies which assure uninterrupted banking services.

And while these people are exempted from the ban, they are not exempted from the requirements.

APORS should present a valid negative COVID test results from a Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) or saliva PCR, all of these swabs taken not more than 72 hours prior to departure to Bohol.

As soon as the traveler arrives in Bohol, the APOR is allowed only to go places specified in his official duty itinerary, never going to places outside of specified areas.

Moreover, the APOR is to limit interaction with locals other than the person directly involved in his visit.

The APOR, upon arrival, may stay in designated quarantine hotels accredited by the Department of Tourism, or an LGU Temporary Treatment and Monitoring Facility for isolation, the EO stated.

Should the APOR or the ROF stay beyond five days in Bohol, they are obliged to undergo another RT-PCR on the fifth day of their arrival and remain in the quarantine facility until they get a negative test result.

When they can have negative test results in their repeat RT-PCR, they can already be allowed to visit places outside their place of work or businesses, the EO directed.

The EO also said ROFs must comply with the 5 days quarantine in a DOT accredited and licensed quarantine accommodation establishment or an LGU TTMF, stay there until the fifth day when they would be swab-tested again via RT PCR and remain in confinement at the facility until the RT PCR test results show negative for COVID, after which, they can go home and rejoin their families. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol)

APOR-TUNITY? Considering their key roles in the fight against COVID and making sure the economy continues to grind, APORs as well as health personnel, government officials and key industry workers can still enter Bohol subject to documentary requirements and quarantine upon arrival, says the new EO 37, series of 2021. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol)

TIGHTER BORDER CONTROL. The new EO also orders government enforcement agencies and LGUS to set up tight border controls in all ports and coastlines to effectively monitor and enforce monitoring and coastline biosecurity. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol)