Labella: No RT-PCR requirement for entry in Cebu City up to medical experts
Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella is considering waiving the RT-PCR test results for travelers from modified general community quarantine areas entering the city, but he will have to consult with medical experts on this. | stock photo
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella said he was considering waiving the real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test for tourists and travelers entering the city from other modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) areas.
This policy has already been implemented by Cebu Province allowing more tourists to enter the island.
Read: Cebu becomes 1st province to drop RT-PCR results as requirements for incoming local tourists
The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Undersecretary Epimaco Densing III already said that the tri-cities of Cebu, Mandaue, and Lapu-Lapu, might also follow suit provided they would submit the Executive Order to the DILG for review.
In a phone interview with CDN Digital, Labella said he was open to such policy because it would help revive the economy of the city, but he would opt to consult the medical experts first.
Read: Chan backs Gwen’s no RT-PCR test policy for local tourists
With the delicate situation in the city, where there are over 3,000 active cases, the mayor said the decision on easing the restriction on entry to the city’s ports must be a collaboration of all sectors especially the health sector.
“I will have to confer with them regarding the issue. There are other ways of monitoring the health condition to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019), but we will consult the experts,” said Labella.
Still, even though the policy was waiting for the go signal of the medical experts, Labella said this would be the eventual goal so that people could easily travel to Cebu City and conduct their businesses.
The mayor said that if the COVID-19 situation would improve, there would be a possibility of removing some of the restrictions in travelling into Cebu City in the near future.
/dbs
Read: Waiving of medCert, travel authority for travelers bound for MGCQ areas eyed – DILG exec
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