Travel authority no longer required in Cebu City
Cebu City has eased restrictions for travelers in entering the city with the only requirement needed for entry is the RT-PCR test results. Travel authority will no longer be required. | CDN Digital file photo
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Travel authorities and other documentary requirements will no longer be needed to enter Cebu City, except for the result of a real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test to detect the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
This after Mayor Edgardo Labella said that although the city would want to prevent bringing in COVID-19 cases, they would still want to ease the travel requirements to enter Cebu City.
Read: Labella firm on keeping RT-PCR tests
Labella said that the test would only be required because the city was an economic hub and port of entry into the island for many people.
The test would somewhat limit the entry of people because they will still wait for the results and only those with negative results will be excluded from the 14-day quarantine upon arrival.
Yet for other documentary requirements such as the travel authority, the mayor sees no reason to continue doing so when the rest of the modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) areas in the country are no longer encouraged to require these documents.
Read: IATF OKs uniform travel protocols; No more mandatory Covid-19 test, quarantine unless…
It can be remembered that the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) has removed documentary requirements in travel among MGCQ areas but has allowed the local government units (LGU) the prerogative to impose the requirement of an RT-PCR test.
“Dili na kailangan og travel authority. Kana lang RT-PCR, kung naa sila ana, okay na. We are substantially compliant with the order of the IATF. The local governments must be given that privilege nga motan-aw sa situation because they are in the best position to know the prevailing condition of the local government,” said Labella.
(The travel authority will no longer be required, but the RT-PCR will be. That is the only requirement needed. We are substantially compliant with the order of the IATF. The local government must be given that privilege to see the situation because they are in the best position to know the prevailing condition of the local government.)
Labella said that authorized persons outside residence (APOR) would not need the RT-PCR test and would only require proof of their being APOR such as a letter from their agency.
The mayor said that with the reduction of requirements travel might now become easier into the city, but he warned travelers to remain vigilant so as not to cause the further spread of the COVID-19.
/dbs
Read: Vaccines key to lowering COVID-19 cases in Cebu City —EOC
Read: Talisay waives travel authority requirement for inbound travelers
Read: DILG: Cebu Province policy for tourist and travellers’ entry acceptable
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