Keeping RT-PCR testing in Cebu urged

This is because we want to ensure that we don’t have arriving tourists to add to the already high numbers in the three HUC

For the Tri- Cities of Cebu, Mandaue and Lapu Lapu, the Department of Health (DoH-7) recommended maintaining the requirement of a real-time polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) tests for travelers.

Dr. Mary Jean Loreche, DoH-7’s chief pathologist and spokesperson said the three highly urbanized cities(HUC) should still require “a PCR negative test result or a rapid antigen test that is performed twice.”

“This is because we want to ensure that we don’t have arriving tourists to add to the already high numbers in the three HUC,” she said.

The other day, the Inter-Agency Task Force, in its Resolution 101, said travelers are not required to undergo RT-PCR tests generally, but this is subject to the regulations of the local government unit (LGU) of their destination.

Loreche cited the rising coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) in the three cities as DoH-7 could not risk adding more cases from travelers.

I will have to confer with them (medical experts) regarding the issue. There are other ways of monitoring the health condition to prevent the spread of the Covid-19, but we will consult the experts.

Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia in her Executive Order 12 has welcome tourists from other provinces to visit Cebu. A valid medical certificate and proof of pre-booking at a resort or a hotel establishment within the Province of Cebu shall only be the requirements for the purchase of a ticket for travel via air, land or sea.

The medical certificate shall be issued by a reputable doctor and within seven days prior to the travel date.

Included in EO 12 is a provision that no longer requires swab tests for persons coming to Cebu for tourism-related activities.

Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella first declared as to lifting the swab test requirement in support of Garcia’s order. However, he retracted and said would consult medical experts.

“I will have to confer with them (medical experts) regarding the issue. There are other ways of monitoring the health condition to prevent the spread of the Covid-19, but we will consult the experts,” Labella said.

Lapu Lapu City Mayor Junard Chan agreed with Garcia’s order as lifting RT-PCR test requirements for tourists and travellers bound for Cebu Province.